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EXTRACTS
FROM
THE COUNCIL REGISTER
OF THE
BURGH OF ABERDEEN.
1398—1570.
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2007 with funding from
IVIicrosoft Corporation
http://www.archive.org/details/extractsfromcoun01aberiala
EXTRACTS
FROM THE
COUNCIL REGISTER
OF
THE BURGH
OF
ABERDEEN.
1398-1570.
ABERDEEN:
PRINTED FOR THE SPALDIiNG CLUB.
M DCCC XLI V.
PKINTKD BY WILLIAM BENNETT.
CASTLE STREET, ABERDEEN.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
I PAGE
The Editor's Preface vii
Contents xlv
Extracts from the Council Register of the Burgh
OF Aberdeen 1
Additional Extracts 371
Index 461
®f)r CSlittor^g i^r^fac^*
HE most valuable materials for national his-
tory have frequently to be sought for in
sources far different from the works of the
general historian, whose pages are more
frequently devoted to the political than the
H^^^^^^^^^^^P) social position of the people, whose history
is the object of his labours. To obtain a
glimpse of their actual state under the existing institutions of a
particular period, we must examine them working out their
system of jurisprudence in legal pleadings ; we must see them
engaged in their various professions and trades — in their pageants
and sports, — and we must be acquainted with their manners and
dress. It is almost in vain to expect in ordinary histories an
accumulation of incidental facts bearing on all such points,
although these are to be regarded in proportion as they have
incorporated in them such disjointed facts, as a reference to the
chronicles, judicial proceedings, familiar epistles, and fragmentary
relics of past times will amply afford.
The records of the Burgh of Aberdeen present us with a greater
combination of these than is generally to be found in similar
sources ; and their historical importance has long been acknow-
ledged by those who have had access to them.
vili • THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
They reach back to a very remote period, and enable us to
trace the eflfects wrought on society by the political and reli-
gious changes which occurred ; while they are full of many mi-
nute incidents which serve to fill up a picture of the condition
of our forefathers in all its parts.
These Records comprehend the proceedings of the Council of
the Burgh, of the Baillie Court, and the Guild Court. From 1398,
when the first volume commences, to 1745, being the period com-
prized in the selections to be printed for the Club, they extend to 61
folio volumes, containing on an average about 600 pages each.
With the exception of volume third, containing the proceedings
from 1414 to 1433, there is no blank in the series.
In " The Catalogue of the registeris and baillie court buikis of
Abirdene presentlie extint, or hes bene during the memorie of
man, thir thre scoir yeiris bygane, maid and coUectit treulie, as
thai ar, be Mr. Thomas MoUisvne, clerk of Abirdene, primo Sep-
tembris 1591,"* it is stated that there then existed " peces and
partis of four aid iraperfyt and informall buikis consumitt and
eittin be mothes, for aldnes and antiquite euill to be red, yit to
be keipit for a monument be resoun of the antiquite." The same
scribe conjectures that there was " na register nor court buik of
Abirdene extant, nor yit knawin that ony buik or register of the
said court wes before the yeir of God ane thousand thre hundred
and fourscoir yeiris. Befor this, scrowis on parchment conten-
ing sum courtis of the Burght of Abirdene writin in Latyne all,
and for ilk yeir ane skrow : na mater of importance or weycht
extant or registrat thairin, nother yit ony ordinance or statut
sett dounn, onlie suittis and actionis, or processus for annuellis,
euil to be red, be resoun of the antiquite of the wreit, and forme
1 [MS. in the Archives of the Burgh.]
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. IX
of the letter or charecter, weray schortlie and compendiouslie
wretin, quhilk is not now vsit ; and skairslie gif ony man can reid
the samyn." None of these scrolls of parchment have come down
to our times.
The selections now printed have been taken from the first
twenty-seven volumes of these Records. The principle on which
they were made, was to select and print entire those entries which
bore reference to the history and manners of the period over
which they extended. They are given precisely as they stand in
the Registers, except in a very few cases where lists of the
names of burgesses, and frequent repetitions of mere formalities,
have been abridged.
To facilitate a reference extending over so wide a field, recourse
was had to the Index to these Records, prepared by the late
William Kennedy, Esq., Advocate, by the assistance of which a
considerable part of the selections in the first part of the volume
were made. A more rigid examination of the original Records
induced the Editor to make additional selections from the earlier
volumes, which will be found in the latter part of the present
volume. A short notice, indicating the subject of each entry, has
been prepared, and is prefixed to the volume under the title of
Contents, and an Index of the principal names and places is
added at the end.
As the Editor found it impossible to devise any system of
classifying materials so various and discordant, which appeared at
all satisfactory, he has given them in their chronological order, a
plan which seemed less objectionable than any other.
In the succeeding volumes of Selections to be printed for the
Club, will be given Extracts, commencing about the period at
which the present volume terminates, from the Accounts kept by
X THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
the Treasurer of the Burgh, and the Dean of Guild, which will
be found most valuable illustrations of the other Records.
The first volume is very much occupied with municipal statutes
regulating the prices of provisions of all kinds : great care was ma-
nifested that the quality of these should be of the proper standard ;
and certain qualified officials were annually elected to watch over
this department, under the names of gustatores vini, gustatores cer-
visicy appreciatores carniorum, and the like.
The profits of merchants were regulated in a similar way :
Item, that na fleschewar mak [ ] nor by to sel agayne ony turbote, as said is, bot thai
sal haue for the brekyng of a turbote quhilk is bocht within xii d. j d., and quhen it exceedis
xii. d. ii d., quhiU it cum to ii s., and swa furth for ilke schilling i d., and he sal haue nane
vther eschetis, bot al sal be brokin to the biaris, vnder the payne forsaid.
Item, that na man tak on hand to by vitale mar na will suffice thar housis, to tap agayne at
derth apon the commounys, and give ony nychtbour has vitale to sell, that thai tap it nocht in
houss bot in the merkatt playneli apon the merkat dai, vnder the payne of viii s. unforgiffin.
and eschete of sic gude, but fawour. [Extracts, p. 397.]
Many of the regulations in this volume and subsequently are
directed against forestallers, who are " they quha pre-occupies and
byes merchandice before it cum to the mercat, or to the stall or
place quhair it suld be sauld, or the time of day statute and ordained
thereto ;'" thus " Item, aliqua regrataria emat aliquod antequam
veniat ad forum et crucem burgi et pulsationem campani solvet xii d.,"
a regrater being he " quha byis ony merchandice or vther thing, and
takis vnleasumlie greater price for the samin afterward."^
It was unlawful for any merchant to pay a larger price than the
statute one.
Item, that na man by woU skynnes derar than x d., schorlinges vi d., scaldynes iii d., the
dusane of lentrinwar viii. d., the dusane of futfellis ii. s. ; and quhasa dois in the contrar sail,
euery tym that he trespasses, pay, but remissioune, vi s. viii d. to the commone werk and profite
of this toune. [/6irf, p. 397.]
No one was allowed to pay more for wool in Buchan than 2s., ex-
1 [Skene de Verborum Signilicatione voce Reokatek.]
2 [Skene, ut tiipra.]
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. XI
cept for that of lords and free tenants, for which last not more than
30d. was to be given. The wool of Mar and the Garioch was not
to exceed in price 30d. Whoever paid more than these prices was
to be fined 20s. for each offence, and lose his liberty within burgh
for a year and day.
Occasionally a qualified permission is given to buy at any price,
thus : —
Et memorandum quod quilibet est liber ad emenda. infra Marr pro quocunque precio pro quo
voluit et ly Marr contin. a Monymusk et Kege et Forbes austraUter dovne the water of Donne ad
Abirden apon the su [syd] of that ilk watter.
And thir arr the sortls that arr outetane the Lord of Mar, Sir \V. of Keth, the Bischop of
A[berden], the Abbot of Der, the Lord the Hay, Malcolm Marchell, S. Jon of Nevy, Andr. of Keth
pater. Sir Henry Preston, Thom. Brisbane, Alexr. Fraser of Percok.
And qwa sua brekis this ordenance, he sal pay xl s. als oft tymes as he brekis it, how mekyll or
how lytil that euer he buyis within a sek of woU ; and gif any excedis byand mar than a sett, of
woU agayn this ordenance, how oftymys he dois he sail pay iiii [s.] [Ibid., p. 382.]
These regulations would seem to indicate that the supply of
provisions and raw material had been very limited, and that it was
therefore necessary to repress the temptation which might arise of
buying up goods and retailing them at an inordinate profit.
It was also unlawful for a burgess to procure lordship against
his brother burgess, that is, to procure the influence of these " ex-
traneans" in their quarrells and causes. Thus it was statuted.
Quod quicunque vicinus ville vel inhabitans villam qui procurat dominos contra vicinum suum,
vel contra aliquem in habitantem villam, soluet qualibet vice qua sic fecerit, quadraginta solidos
sine reraissione, pro tribus vicibus Et si quarta vice fecerit, priuabitur a libertate sua penitus et
omnino. Et si non habeat unde soluet dictam penam incarcerabitur per tres dies et tres noct«s et
postea abuirabit villam pro anno et die. llhid., p. 387.]
And again,
That nane haff lord na lordschip othir na the king, the duke [of A11)anyj, and the erll of Marr.
bot his aldirman and his baillies, under the said payne. (P. 389.)
In these turbulent times it became usual for the lesser barons,
and also for the burghs, to become the adherents of some powerful
nobleman, who, on the other hand, undertook the defence and main-
Xll THE EDITORS PREFACE.
tenance of his allies. The burgh of Aberdeen accordingly in 1462
granted their band of manrent to the Earl of Huntly, which narrates
that the earl had become bound to maintain and keep the town in
their freedoms and infeftments, therefore the burgh undertook to be
Lele and trew to the forsaid lorde erle, in counsale gif he askis ws eftcr oure wittis and knau-
lage, and kepe his counsale gif he chargis ws, and atour quhen it saU pleise the forsaid lorde to
cum to oure saide burgh with few persons or many, and to remain or pas quhen him likis, we sal
at all oure gjudely powere conserue and kepe him and his company within oure saide burgh, to tak
sic part with him in his defens as we wald do for the defens of oure awyn persons, kepand our al-
legeans til oure souerane lorde the king, and the fredomes of oure said burgh. Thir oure letteres
til endoir for al the tennes of ten yeres fra the day and date of ye making of thaim. In witnes
of the quhilk thing, oure secrete sele to thir oure lettes is affixt, at oure burgh of Aberdene forsaid.
the xx''day of Januare, the yere of God j" cecc sexte and twa. [Ibid., p. 22.]
An injury inflicted on the " man" of a nobleman was resented as
much as if he himself had been the injured party. Of this a
curious instance occurs in the case between William of Cadiou and
Robert of Cullace.
The quhilk Mononnday, the courte afiermyt, the said WilL comperit, and ane noble and mychte
lord the Erie of Avandale and the Constable, on the behalf of the said Robert, comperit and askit
the lawcht as tha did on the day before. And than Sir Alexr. of Irwyne, knycht, forspekar to the
said Williame, profferit that the said Williame suld acquite him be himself and otheris diuers per-
sones. that he wist noeht that the said Robert was man to the said Erie, na to the said Constable, na
that he come to this toun in thair company. And attour for the defaute that the said Will, had
made to the saidis lordis Erie and Ck>nstable, he put hym in thair grace, upon the quhilks the said
lord Erie and Constable, sen the thing was greue, tuk to be avisit upon his profferis, and with con-
sent of partis it was diflFerrit be the saidis lordis Erie and Counstable, upon four dayes wamying,
the said Wylliame to compeir than befor the alderman and ballzeis in like maner as he comperit
this Mononnday, hawand the force and effecte that day as this day but fraude or gile. And at
this suld be fiilfiUit be the said Williame and the partis skathlace in the mentjTne. Sir Alexr. of
Irwyne is cummyn a borch to the alderman and baUzeis. And at the saidis Williame and Joh. of
Cadiou, his cosyne, sal be skathles of the saidis lord Erie, and of the said Constable, and of the
said Robert, and of thar pairtie, but fraude or gile, the said Lord Erie and Constable arr becummyn
borowes to the saidis aldirmann and ballzeis.
Jamys of Douglas of Avakdale.
—llbid., p. 395.]
It is frequently enjoined to burgesses that they should have their
weapons in their booths ready —
The said day, it was statut be the prouost, balzeis, and counsaile, that ale freman of this burgh
be weUe bodyn and abilzet for weir in thair personis, ilkan efter thair degre and faculte, ilkan
hawand ane speir, ane bow, and ane targe, with vthir defensabile wapins, the speir contening v
eln and d., to remain within the towne for the resisting of thar aid inemeis of Ingland : and ilkan
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. Xlll
frenian that falzeis and remayn nocht personaly within this burghe, sale pay viij s. ilkan day vn-
forgevin, to furnis vther personis. \_lbid., p. 87.]
They were ordered to
Ryss to the ryngyng of the comoun bell, and to biddyng of the ofiiceris of the tovne ; and gifF
ony soudane affray comys, that thai be redy under the said payne ; and gif ony keip or persayvis
ony schath aperand to the tovne, or ony at duells in it, that thai mak warnyng vnder the said
payne. Als, qwatsumeuer has nocht his wapynnis redy, and beris thaim nocht, sal tyne viii s.,
withoute remissioun, and prisone quhill that viii s. be payit. [Ibid , p. 389.]
Such regulations were frequently too closely responded to, and
frequent affrays and "■ perfurdationes ville" took place. Their war-
like habits appear even in the names of the time ; thus, we find a
tanner with the ominous name of " Johannes out with the Swerd ;"
and they occasionally peep out in places where they should not
have been looked for. Thus, in a case between William of Seton
and William Cadiou, which was referred to an assize, after mu-
tual assertions and denials in court,
Thairapon the said William avisit, come before the court and keist downe his hat, profferand
him to fecht in the said querel ; apon the quhilk the said Alexr. Menzes askit ane testimonial ot
the court how that he manasit and prouokit him, saj^and that it nedit nocht, na that he wald nocht
fiecht in the said querel, sen that it mycht be determyt be the law and the assise ; the quhilk assise
riply avisit, fand, and deliuerit that the said William of Setoune had strublit William of Cadiou
apon forthocht felony, under law borowis ; for the quhilk strublance he was adiugit in amercia-
ment of the court, and the said William of Cadiou quite of all strublance of the said William of
Setoune.
This may have been a remnant of the right of private battle
formerly competent by our law for the decision of civil as well
as criminal cases.'
It will be found on reference to the Extracts, that almost every
case, whether criminal or civil, was decided by a jury, varying
in numbers from five, to four times that number. Their verdict
decided the truth of the averments brought forward by the parties,
and then the judge applied the law to the fact so proved ; but tlio
1 [Quoniam Attachiamenta. Cap. 31, 61.]
XIV THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
" adjustment of the issues" would not seem to have been so
tedious a matter in these times as in our own day.
The system of " striking" or finding borghs, of which frequent
mention occurs, is recognized in our oldest systems This had
several meanings, as in one view, it is " ane caution or souertie vsed
in bying and selling, quhilk the sellar findis to the byar to make
the gudis furth cumand as his awin propir gudis, and to warand
the samen to him," for it is statute, that " na man sal bye ony
gear except the seller thereof finde him ane lauchful pledge, quhilk
is called borgh of hamhald.'"
Again, the borgh might be that the party should be produced
in court, in which case the production of his man before the
judge was sufficient. " Sed si sit ejus plegius ad standum juri
adversario suo tunc erit plegius suus totalita usque ad finem placiti
et satisfaciet pro ipso, tam erga curiam, quam erga partim."^ Again
within burgh, " Nullus emat aliquam rem nisi habeat legalem ple-
gium, exceptis cibo potu aut pannis scissuratis ad induendura et
hujusmodi minutis mercantiis." ^
Many illustrations of the working of a system of laws now al-
most obsolete, will be found in these extracts.
There will also be found some very early specimens of the
familiar language then used in letters, contracts, and judicial pro-
ceedings. Of these is a letter from the magistrates, in 1401, but
wanting the address,
Reuerence and honour likit yhu to wit, that the lord of Keth arestit yhur wyn and yhur
ozin, and for gud cansis as he lete ws wit; and for yhur sakis we made him request that he
sold frely delyuer thaim, for the quilk request he. has delyuerit thaim frely at this tym, for
we ar thai at wald at gad acord war betuex yhu and hym, and wil do our besynes to bryng
it thar to at our jx>wer, at the quilk accord he sayis he wald be galdly and sal nocht leve in
his defkote. Qwarfor, der lord, it is our consale, and we requir yhu, that for essy of the con-
1 [Skene de Verb. Signific voce, Borgh.]
■i [Quoniam Attachiamenta. Cap. 17. { 'i.]
3 [Leges Burgonun. Cap. 128.]
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. XV
trar and quiet of our place, yhe wald asich gif yhe ocht aw hym, sa that hym nedit nocht in
tyme to cum til mak sic pvndyng and namly in our tovn, for he says it is previt dete that
yhe aw hym, and of lang tyme by gane ; and gif yhe will adreis yhu to be at ony day
with hym for the kuawlege of the forsaid thyngis, sends ws word, and we sal late hym wit,
and gif it langs ansuer we sal ger send it yhu, for we ar richt mykil haldyn to yhu, and als
til hym. God kepe yhur estate as we desir.
In those times, the limits of the jurisdictions conferred on indi-
viduals and communities were jealously watched.
In 1436, we find the Baillies of Kintore asserting their rights,
by repledging to their own jurisdiction a burgess on whom it was
attempted to fasten a claim in Aberdeen ;' and, in 1530, the Baillie
of the Bishop of Aberdeen had to obtain the licence of the
Baillies of Aberdeen before he could hang a thief convicted in the
Bishop's court.^
These records present us with some curious particulars regarding
the hospitalities practised by the burgh in former times towards
the Scottish monarchs and their attendants. Beginning with the
propine of 100 merks to James II in 1455, we have another
to the welcome of the same monarch in 1448, of " tua tunnes of
Gascoune wyne, sax lichtis of iii stane of wax, and xii haf pundis
of scorchetiss, and falyheand tharof xii hale pundis." James IV.
received a propine in 1492, and another in 1495. Again, in 1497,
when this active monarch performed a pilgrimage to the shrine of
St. Duthac, in Ross-shire, he passed through the town on his way
thither, and again, on his return southwards. On these occasions
he received a propine of wine and spicery. At the same time the
Lord Huntly received a pipe of wine, and the Lord Oliphant a gal-
lon of claret. The following ordinance which was passed at the
time will show the preparations which were thought necessary on
the occasion of the monarch's stay in the burgh : —
The said day, it waa thocht expedient, statut, and ordanit, be the alderman, balzies, and con-
1 CExtracte, p. 393.] 2 [Ibid. p. 4t6.]
XVI THE EDITOR'S PftEFACE.
sale, for the pleaour of oar soaerane lordU hienes, his lordis and nobles of consale, that all
baxt«ris, broosteris, flesseris, fischearis, stabillaris, candillmakaris, cordonaris, tailzeouris, and
ale Ntheris men of craftis within this burghe, be well furnyst and bodyne in gud and sufScient
stuf, ilkan according to thair craftis and operacions, to the fumysing of our souerane lordis
hienes and his lordis, &c., for the space of xx dayis and forthir, alse lang as his hienes makis
residence within this burghe. In the first, all baxteris to haue bakin breid and flour reddy
to baik ; al broustaris to haue bro\-yne aile and grundin malt reddy to brew ; al stabillaris to
to haue sufficient stabillis, hek, manger, corn, foder, and ale vther stuf according thairto ; ale
flescheris to haue fresche flesche dailie and hourlie slane and to be sclane ; ale fischearis to
haue fische redy, salt, pouderit, herde, and fresche quhen the wedder ansueris thairto ; al candil
makaris to haue candile redy maide sufficient stuff; ale tailzeouris, cordonaris, and skinneris,
to haue werk maid, stuf reddy to mak, ilkane according to thair craft; al merchandis to haue
wax, wine, spicery, and vther merchandice reddy, to the fumesing of our souerane lordis hienes ;
and that al elding sellaris bring thair elding dailie and hourlie to the mercat.
In 1501, occurred the marriage of the king, for attending which
the minstrels of the town received £10 "to fumyss thame to the
passage witht the alderman and utheris honorabil nychtbouris."'
From another entry it would appear that they had been orna-
mented with a silver badge, having the town's arms engraved on it.'^
A tax was levied for the passage of " the best and wortheast of
the toun to the fest of oure soverane lordis marriage."^
In 1504, the king again received " sax par torchis, ane dusane
of prekats, iii dusne of syis of walx, ane dusane lib. of scorcheatis,
and alsmeikle wine as the master of the sellar plessis to tak till his
hienes." He got a propine in 1507, and another in 1509.
In May, 1511, Margaret, the Queen of James, made a visit to
the town. On this occasion it was resolved to receive her Majesty
" als honorablie as ony burgh of Scotland, except Edinburgh, al-
lanerlie, and to mak als larg expensis thereapone as the prouest and
counsail diuis, for the honour of the towne and plesour of his gud
grace" Two hundred pounds were to be given to her Majesty ; and
the following ordinances were passed for the cleansing and beauti-
fying of the town.
Item, it was statut and ordanit, that aU personis duelland uteucht the forgait in the baksteris,
i [P. 71.] -J [P. 73.) •■! [Ibid.]
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. XVll
samony as salbe warnit and chargit therto and billit be the prouest and bailzies, furnys and
graitht the staris of the forgait with arres werk daily as eflferis, under the pane of ilk persone that
beis requirit therto, and furnissing nocht the samyn of [ ] s. unforgevin, for the ressaving of
our souerane ladye the queyne.
Alusa it was statut and ordanit, that na swyne being within this brught, young nor auld, be
hauldin uteucht band of the forgait for ane fiftene dais, this day being runny ne, under the pane of
slauchter of the said swyne, escheting of thame, and banyssing of thame that aw the samyne, and
als that all the tovn be devoyen of the swn croffis, under the samyn pyane, betuixt this and Thuris-
day nixt to cum.
Alsua it was statut and ordanit, that all maner of persone or personis that bringis ony byrkis,
holingis, gyrss, herbis, or ony vthir grene flouris, haf common passage, and sal haue fre monj' and
redy siluer for the samyn. [P. 70.]
These notices of her Majesty's visit derive additional interest
V7hen taken in connection v^ith the admirable description of the
Queen's entry to Aberdeen on this occasion, given by our great
national poet Dunbar, vv^ho seems to have been a spectator of this
event. This was first printed in the recent edition of this
" makars" poems, edited by Mr. David Laing, to whom Scottish
literature owes so much, and as it is so intimately connected with
the subject of these remarks, there is little apology due for here
introducing it.
Cf)e (Jliienisi deception at ^tertrein.
Bi.vTH Aberde.ve, thow beriall of all tounis,
The lamp of bewtie, bountie, and blythnes ; ,
Unto the heaven [ascendit] thy renown is,
Off vertew, wisdonie, and of worthines ;
He nottit is thy name of nobilnes,
In to the Gumming of Cure Lustie Quein,
The wall of welth, guid cheir, and mirrines :
Be blyth, and blisfuU, burgh of Aberdein,
And first Hir mett the burgess of the toun,
Richelie arrayit as become thame to be,
Of quhom they chesit four men of renoun.
In gounes of velvot, young, abill, and lustie,
To beir the paill of velvet cramase
Abone Hir heid, as the custome hes bein ;
Gryt was the sound of the artelerie :
Be blyth, and blisfull, burgh of Aberdein.
XVin THE EDITORS PREFACE.
Ane fair processioun mett hir at the Port,
In a cap of gold and silk, full pleasantlie,
Syne at hir Entrie, with many fair disport,
. Ressavit hir on streittis lustilie ;
Quhair first the Salutatioun honorabilly
Of the sweitt Virgin, guidlie mycht be seine ;
The sound of mentrallis blawing to the sky ;
Be blyth and blisfull, burgh of Aberdein.
And syne thow gart the Orient kingis thrie
Offer to Chryst, with benyng reverence,
Gold, sence, and mir, with all humilitie,
Schawand him King with most magnificence ;
Syne quhow the Angill, with sword of violence,
Furth of the joy of Paradice putt clein
Adame and Eve for inobedience ;
Be blyth and blisfull, burgh of Aberdein.
And syne the Bruce, that evir was bold in stour,
Thow gart as Roy cum rydand under croun,
Richt awfull, Strang, and large of portratour,
As nobill, dreidfull, michtie campioun ;
The [nobill Stewarts] syne, of great renoun,
Thow gart upspring, with branches new and greine,
Sa gloriouslie, quhill glaided all the toun :
Be blyth and blisfull, burgh of Aberdein.
Syne come thair four and twentie madinis ying.
All claid in greine of marvelous bewtie.
With hair detressit, as threidis of gold did hing,
With quhyt hattis all browderit rycht bravelie,
Playand on timberallis, and syngand rycht sweitlie :
That seimile sort, in ordour weill besein.
Did meit the Quein, hir saluand reverentlie :
Be blyth and blisfull, burgh of Aberdein.
The streittis war all hong with tapestrie.
Great was the press of peopill dwelt about,
And pleasant padyheanes playit prettelie ;
The legeiss all did to thair Lady loutt,
Quha wag convoyed with ane royall routt
Off gryt barrounes and lustie ladyis [schene] ;
Welcome, Our Quein ! the commons gaif ane schout ;
Be blyth and blisfull, burgh of Aberdein.
At Hir cumming great was the mirth and joy.
For at thar Croce aboundantlie rane wyne ;
Untill hir ludgeing the toun did hir convoy ;
Hir for to treit thay sett thair haill ingyne,
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. xix
Ane riche present thay did till hir propine ;
Ane costlie coup that large thing wald contene,
Coverit and full of cunyeitt gold rycht fyne :
Be blyth and blisfuU, burgh of Aberdein.
O potent Princess, pleasant, and preclair.
Great caus Thow hes to thank this nobill toun,
That for to do The honour, did nocht spair
Thair geir, riches, substance, and persoun,
Th6 to ressave on maist fair fasoun ;
Th6 for to pleis thay socht all way and mein ;
Thairfoir, sa lang as Quein thow beiris Croun,
Be thankful! to this burgh of Aberdein.
In 1526, James V. paid his first visit to the town when it was
resolyed to give him an " honest propyne," which consisted of " sax
potionis of wyne, or the awal of the samyn, in stark mychty wynes
and small wynnis ; item, sax stane of wax, 34 lib. of scorcheatis,
tua sed mettis, foure chaldyr of coUis." The Lords of Council also
got a propine : " Imprimis, the justice ane potioun of wyne, the
lord chancellor ane potioun of wyne, my lord of Angus ane potioun
of wyne."'
Every craft was ordered to assist in decoring the town ; and
moreover.
The haill townn beand gaderit and conuenit within the tolbuith for the maist part, the prouest
exponit and schew to thame quhow that the kingis grace with his lordis of counsaill ar to cum in-
continent to this guid townn, to the haldin of ane justice ayre. Quhairfor he chargit all and
sundry the nychtbours of the said guid townn, that nayne of tham sett thair luggenis and basis
to na maner of man quhill the kingis suriouris cum, that the townn may knaw quhat lordis and
men of guid cumis with him, and thairefter the luggenis and innis ma be sett to tham, be the awiss
of the prowest and consall, to ilk man efter his awin estat. And alsuay chargit the stabillaris that
thai graitht thair stabillis in the honestest fasion thai can ; and that thai haue corne and fodder
to sell to furniss the said stabillis sa mony horss as thai will ressaue.
In 1541 the queen of James V. visited the town, when com-
missioners were appointed to " devyse a certain sowme of money,
for the decoring and preparing of this good toune again the quenis
1 [P. 115.J
XX THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
coming, and to propine her eftir thair power, as the aid wss hes
bene within the burght at the first cuming of princis."
In 1 543 the earl of Arran, governor of the realm, received a pro-
pine, and the town, on being asked by the comptrollar to the queen
if they would support the governor by whom he had been sent, and
"gif thai vald fortify and menteyne his authorite aganis certane
conspiratouris," resolved to "serf him at thair wtter power at
all tym."'
In 1556, it was resolved to give a propine to the Queen at the
next Justice ayr, consisting of wine and spicery. To Monsieur
D'Oysel wine and sweetmeats, and to the Justice Clerk a pun-
cheon of wine.'
In 1562, Queen Mary made her first entry to the town, when
Thomas Menzies explained to the inhabitants that " it is nocht on-
knawin to thame of her grace honorabill resauing at her first entry,
and prencely propynis giffin to hir grace in Edinburght and
Dunde, and vther townis that her grace hes vessit, quha all in ane
voce dewisit and ordanit the sowme of twa thousand merkis, to be
vpliftit for the preparatioun and decoratioun of the toun, and to
be propynit to her grace as vise hes beene in tymes bypast to be
done to kingis and princes of this realme at their first entre."'
Another notice shows that artillery had been fired at her entry,
for we find the council agreeing to recompense Thomas Nicolsoune
" for the skayth sustenit be him in braking of certane chalmeris of
his arteilzerie, quhilkis the toun borrowit fra him, and wes vsit,
and schot with pulder in volie at the quenis first entre to this
burght,"* and the ensign, which had been prepared for the occasion,
was in existence in 1616, when it is said to be " all lacerat and
reyin, and nocht seiming to be borne."'
1 [P. 191.] 2 [P. 300.] 3 [P, 339.] 4 [P. 351.]
s [Council Register, vol. 47., p. 512.]
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. XXI
The hospitality of the town was not confined however to such
exalted personages. In 1508, the Bishop of Aberdeen [William
Elphinstone] received the following propyne :
The saide day, the prouest, ballieis, and counsale, ordanit and diuisit ane propyn in wyne, w ax,
and spice, to my lord of Abirdene, as eftir follouis : In the first, tua puntionis of wyne cost nyiie
lib. and iiii s. to cary thame to my lordis place ; item, iiii pece wax, price of the stane xviii s.,
maid in torchis and pricatis, for the makin of thame, iii s., for the treis makj-n and savin, xviii d.,
for tua reuchteris to be the treis, xx d., for wekis, xviii d. ; item, ii dusane of scorcheatis, price
xlviiii s., i galloune of Maluasy, price iiii s. viii d., ane galone of claret, v s. iiii d., ane ^ galloune
of quhit wyne, price ii. s., to be pait of the rediast gudisof the toun. Some of the haile. xvi lib.
iii s. viii d.
In 1522, they ordered " xii prekatts of wax to be gevin my lord of
Abirden [Bishop Gavin Dunbar] now at his cuming, together with
xii bostis of skorcheatis, becaus there is na guyd wynnis now to
send to his lordschip."
In 1528, the celebrated historian. Hector Boyis was the object
of their hospitality, when they
Consentit to propin Maister Hector Boyis to his maister ack in theologie, with ane townn of
wyne, gif he will bid quhill new wynnis cum hayme, or thane with tuenty lib. Scottis, to help to
by him bonatis, quhilk of thame he thinkis maist expedient, at his awin plesoui*. And the said
counsail to convein this day efter nowne, in the prowest innis, to se and devise quhar this mony
salbe esiast gottin.
It will have been remarked that Dunbar's poem describes a
mystery or pageant which was performed- at the entry of the
queen of James IV. to the burgh. Such* performances appear
to have been favourite amusements in Aberdeen, and frequent en-
tries regarding the regulations to be observed by the performers of
them, occur in these extracts.
The first notice is in 1440, when the Abbot of Bon-accord, or,
as he is elsewhere termed, the Abbot out of Reason, known in
England as the Abbot of Unreason, and in France as the Abbe
de Liesse, received the admission dues of a burgess to defray his
XXll THE EDITORS PREFACE.
expenses in the play of the Haly blude, which was performed at
the WindmylhiU.'
In 1479, the council and brethren of guild agreed " to mak the
expensis and costis of the comon gude apon the arayment and
uthris necessaris of the play to be plait in the fest of Corpvs
Cristi nixt to cum.'"^
The Abbot and Prior of Bonaccord seem to have been conjoined
in conducting these exhibitions, which, on some occasions, were per-
formed too much in their character of " Abbatis out of Resoun."
In 1445, it was ordained " by the council and mony othir of the
gilde, for letting and stanching of diuerse enormyteis done in tyme
bygane be the abbotis of this burght, callit of Bone accorde, that,
in time to cum, thai will giue na feis to na sic abbotis."
Item, it is sene speidfiil to thame that for the instant yher thai wiU have na sic abbot ; but
thai wiU that the alderman for the tyme, and a balyhe quhom that he will tak til him, sail supple
that faute. P. 14.
In 1496, we find the abbot and prior elected, and receiving
their usual fee " for the honour, consolacioun, and plesour of this
burghe, lik as hes bene vsit in tymes of thar worthie and honour-
able progenitouris,"
In 1631, a citizen was elected to the oflBce, and offered some
objections to his election, on which the provost produced the king's
letters, charging the inhabitants that none of them should refuse
any office of honour to which they might be elected by the com-
munity.
And inlikwiss how the prouest and counsall had chosen Alexr. Gray and Alexander Knollis to
be lords of Bonacord for this instant year, quhilks has been an office of honor this tymes bygane.
and inquirit at the communite gif they thocht expedient that gin ony of the saids parteis re-
fusit the said office, that our soureigns lords lettres suld be execut on thame in the charpest
maner, quhilk the said counsall and communitie thocht expedient to be done. [P. 140.]
I [P. 395.] 2 [P. 410.]
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. XXlll
Notwithstanding of the honour attached to the office, it did not
always meet with respect ; for, in 1642, we find Alexander Kayn's
wife accused
For the hawy strablens and vile mispersoning of Alex. Gray and Dauid Kintoir, lordis of
Bonacord, and thair company present with thame for the tyme, sayand common beggaris and
tiafferis, thair meltyd wet hot small for all thair cuttit out hot/ss, with mony oder inurious
vordis, unleful to be expremit, quhilk the sayd Alex, denyit; and thairefter it was funden be the
haill counsale, present for the tyme, that the said Alexrs wyff hed hevily strubled and misper-
sonit the saydis Alexr. and Dauid, and the remanent of thair company for the tyme, in maner
abown wrytin, quherfor he wes convict and put in amerciament of court, to forbeir in tyme
cumming, and amend as law will, and that wes geivin for dome, and the amendis tharof con-
tinuit to be modifyit eftirwart be the counsale. [P. 180.]
From a petition presented to the council by the lordis of Bon-
accord in 1 539, we acquire some idea of the nature of the office at
that time.
Quharfor we exhort your M[ ] that we hef the auld lowable vse, lang vsit and kepit
within this guid tovne, now in our tyme, lyk as it hes bene in our predecessoris tymes : that
is to say, all the yong able men within this guid towne to conwey ws euery Sunday and haly-
day, and wther neidfuU tymes, aboulzeit as your M[ ] hes deuisit, and agit men to meit
ws at the crabstane or kirkyard ; and thai that compeiris nocht, that we may poynd thame
conforme to the auld vse, or ellis mony of thame will nocht obey, &c. [P. 160.]
In 1508 their title was changed into Robert Huyd and Litile
Johne.'
The attendants of these lords of the greenwood were to have
" thair arrayment made in grene and yallow, bowis. arrowis, brass,
and all uther convenient thingis according thairto, to pass with
Robyne Huyd and Litile Johne, all tymes convenent tharto, quhen
thai be requirit."
They seem to have outlived the taste for such exhibitions ; for,
in 1552, we are told that " the lordis of Bonnacord, in tymes by-
gane, base maid our mony grit surapteous and superfleous banket-
ing, induring the tyme of thair regnn, and speciallie in May,
quhilkis wes thocht nothir profitabill nor godlie, and did hurt to
1 tP.440.]
D
xxiv THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
sundry young men that were elekit in the said office, becaus the
last elekit did aiye pretent to surmount thair predecessouris in
thair ryteous and sumpteous banketings, and the cause, principal,
and good institutioun thairof, quhilk wes in balding of the gud toun
in glaidnes and blythtnes, with dances, farsiis, playis, and gamis,
in tymes convenient, neglectit and abusit. It was therefore or-
dained that there should only be three honest and sober bankets,
upon the Senze day, the first Sunday of May, and on Tuesday after
Pashe."*
In this year these officials got a larger allowance than usual,
" and that be ressoune of cummyng of the quenis grace, my lord
governor, and the maist of the lordis and grit men of this realme
presently to the toun." ^
All these games were put an end to by act of the legislature in
1555.
Some of the citizens seem to have been unwilling to drop their
amusements, for in 1562, we find John Kelo, belman, accused of
endeavouring to convene the community " to pass to the wood
to bring in symmer upoun the first Sounday of Maii, contravinand
the actis and statutis of the quenis grace and lordis of consell, ep-
peirandlie to raise tumult, and ingener discord betwix the craftis-
men and the fre burgessis of gild." The " auld vse" was brought
forward as an excuse, and one of the citizens " denyit ony wrang
done be him thairintill." They were, however fined, and ordained
to compeir " vpoun Sonday nixt cumis, within the paroche kirk,
and thair, immediatlie aftir the preaching, in presens of the con-
gregatioun, grant thair said oflFens as done through ignorance, and
vpoun thair kneis, ask God and the congregatioun forgifiiess."^
1 [P. 280.] 2 [Ibid.] 3 [P. 343.]
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE, XXV
Besides these games and plays, there were other pageants ex-
hibited, which more closely resemble that described by Dunbar.
These consisted of processions of the craftsmen on certain fes-
tival days, with banners and pageants, and of masques supporting
the character of some scriptural or classical personage or event.
The earliest notice of a dramatical exhibition by the craftismen
is at Candlemas in 1442.' In 1532, will be found an ordinance
regulating the order of the craftismen in the procession.^ On this
occasion
The craftis ar chargit to furneiss thair panzeanis vnder writin :
The flescharis, Sanct Bestian and his Tormentouris
The barbouris, Sanct Lowrance and his Tormentouris
The skynnaris, Sanct Stewin and his Tormentouris
The cordinaris, Sanct Martyne
The tailzeouris, the Coronatioun of Our Lady
Litstaris, Sanct Nicholes
Wobstaris, walcaris, and bonet makaris, Sanct John
Baxtaris, Sanct Georg.
Wrichtis, messonis, sclateris, and cuparis, The Resurrection
The smithis and hemmirmen to furneiss The Bearmen of the Croce.
Of a character somewhat akin to the abbot of unreason was the
boy bishop, a character well known both in England and France.
The custom of electing a boy bishop, begun probably at monas-
teries for the amusement of the younger inmates, became common
at universities and schools. The election of the boy bishop ap-
pears generally to have been on St. Nicholas day, from which " till
Innocent's dale at night (it lasted no longer at the first) the
episcopus puerorum was to bear the name and hold up the estate
of a bishop answerably, habited with a crosier or pastoral staif
in his hand, and a miter upon his head ; and such an one too
some had, as was (saith one) verie much richer than those of
bishops indeed." ^
I [P. 9.] 2 [P. 451.]
3 [Gregorie's EpUcoput Puerorum, or a Discoverie of an ancient custom in the Church of Saruin,
XXVI THE EDITORS PREFACE.
It appears from the Register, that, on St. Nicholas day, the
master of the Grammar School, attended by the bishop, received
certain dues from those whom they visited.
The sayd day, the haill consell, present for the tyme, all in ane voce, ordanit that the maister
of thair grammar scuyll sell haf iiij s. Scottis, of the sobirest persoun that resauis him and the
bischop at Sanct Nicholace day till his vage, at the leyst, and euere vder honest men to gif him at
thair plasour; and gif ony honest man of ony reputatioune, oder craftismen or vder, haldis
forth the bischop and giffis hym nocht entres, he sell pay iiij s. to the maister, and viij s. to
the baillies onforgewin for thair wnlaw, and ordanis the officiaris to pound and distrenze for
the samin ; and that because it ves considerit be thaim that he hes na vder fee to leif on, lyk
aa his predecessouris hed afor him, and vder maisteris of vder seniles.
And als that euery honest man, freman within the said burgh, baith merchandis and craftis-
men ressaue him and the bischop at Sanct Nicholace mess within thair houssis, conforroe to the
aold lovabill vse of the said burgh, and gif him thair wagis of the auld maner, efferand to
thair estatis, as tha think expedient. And gif ony honest man, merchand or craftisman, that
ma g^dly gif his wagis, ressauis him nocht and the bischop at the same tyme, that he sail com-
plane on the dissobeyaris to the bailzeis that hapnis to be in office for the tyme, and tha to
caus him to haue his duyte of thame, be the avise of the consale, conforme to the auld vse of
this said burgh.
Connected with these exhibitions the minstrels of the town may
be mentioned regarding whom frequent entries also occur.
In 1522 it was
Statut and ordanit be the baillies and counsell, present for the tyme, that quhatsomever nicht-
bour disobeyit the command menstrallis in the gevin of them thair meit and wagis, as thar fee
to thame, efter the forme of the auld lowable wss of this burch, that thai suld pay to the bailleis
unlaw viii sh. unforgevin, and tua shillings to the said menstrallis for thair dais cost ; and gif
ther be ony puyr folkis at ar not abill till gif thame meit, that thai gif them ii d. to thair fee
and costis. [P. 105.]
In 1542 they were hired for their good service " to be done be
thaim, as ws wes be the menstrailis afor thaim, thair predecessouris,
at evdn and mome, and vder tymes neydfuU concerning the toune,
for all the days of thair lyf, and sell haif thair daily vaigis and
meyt of the nychtbouris of this gud towne circularlie, conforme to
the auld lovabill wse and consuetud of this nobill burght obseruyt
in tymmis bygane." '
making an anniversarie bishop among the choristers. 4to, Lond., 1649. Quoted in Dr. Jamieson's
Scottish Diet Sapp. voce Abbot of Vnressoun.]
» [P. 167.J
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE, XXVli
This mode of sustaining their officials was not confined to the
minstrels, for we find that Sir Alexander Gray, chaplain of St.
Crispin's and Crispinian's altar, had a right to receive, as part of his
fee, diet during the week from seven of the " best and wortheast "
of the Cordwainers. As might have been expected, he does not
appear to have been well received on all occasions ; for soon after
their mutual agreement had been made, he complained that his
employers had failed in the performance of their engagement, and
that he wanted his "fee and pairt of his dietis in the oulk," on
which the craft was ordered to fulfil their engagement, and to
" sustene their said cheplane honestlie."
The penance infiicted on offenders, previous to the Reformation,
was attended with some curious circumstances : thus, in 1 539,
Margaret Porter, who was convicted for the strublens and mis-
personyng of Jonat Chesame, in calling of hir '* commond vyld
freris hvyr that scho wes, that hes ane pek of lyis betuix the
shoulderis. I sell leid the to the place for the freir swervyt
the, quhar you tint the pendace of thi belt in the hie publict gett."
For which
Thai ordanit that the said Margaret cum on Sunday nixt, within Sanct Nicolace hie kirk in
tyme of hiemes, cled in lynning claythis, with ane torche bymand in hir hand, of thre pound of
vax, bair lyg, and thair, afor the powpytt, and the provest and gude men of this toune, reuoke
and agane say the forsaid vordis, and vtheris said be her of the sayd Jonat, and confess thame
verray false and vntrew, and sayd hot of malice and in ire; and to syt downe on hir kneyse as
said is, and ask the said Jonat forgyffance, and request the gud men of the towne to caus the said
Jonat toforgyf hir; and gif euer scho dois the raaik in tyme cumyng, and beis convickit thairfor,
to pay X lib., vnforgyffin, to Sanct Nicholace vark, and als to fynd cautioun for the fulfilling of
the said mendis or scho duparte of the tolbuith. [P. 160.]
Again, in 1544, Symsoun Terwes and Ammorouse Tailzour were
convicted for the " cuming to Sanderis Jaffray's house on Sanct
Nicolace day at evin, at last was, vnder silence of nycht, at xij
houris of the nycht, or thairby, and seiking of the said Alex-
ander for his grit skaith, with ane aix and stanis, and casting of
XXVIU THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
stanis at the said Alexanderis house in grit nummer, and bluid
drawin of the said Alexanderis wif in grit quantite." The verdict
of the assise was
Ordanis the said Symsonis Terwes and Ammoroose Tailzours cragis to he put instantlie in the
gowife, and incontinent thairefter tane out agane, and thane to cum to the kirk and pass afor the
processioun, sark alane, afor the hie mess, with ane candill of ane pund of wax in thair handis,
and efler the said processioun to offer the said tua candillis to Sanct Nicholace wark, and ask the
said Alexander and his vif forgiffnes, and beseik the bailzies and men of guid of the tovne to solist
thame to forgif thame, and alse to fynd cautioun one Sonday, or thai be takin out of the tolbuith,
for the townis vnlawis. [P. 212.]
After the Reformation, the penance enjoined in place of the
above proceedings was not so rigorous ; the defaulter was generally
required
To cum vpoun Sonday nixt cumis to Sanct Nicolace kirk, and ther, in presens of God and his
holy congregatioun, ask the said Elspet forgifnes, and to revoik the injurious wordis said be him
as fals and vntrew, and to sett cautioun, that gif ewer he beia fundyn in sic offens in tym cuming,
to be baneist forth of this guid toune. [P. 331.J
Many contributions of salmon, hides, and money, towards the
erection and fitting up of the Quire of St. Nicholas church will be
found in the Records, and many fines exacted from off'enders were
specially appropriated to '• St. Nicholace wark."
The attachment of the inhabitants to the Roman Catholic
system would seem to have been warm, and some entries would
indicate their jealousy of any slight being shown to their saint or
to the church dedicated to him. In 1530, " Johne Andersoun was
convickit in ane lacht of vi schillingis iiii d. to be doublit, becaus
he was found in the vedding kirk dur, with his bonat on his heid,
quhilk was hallowit place and kirk, efter the decemyng of the
bailzeis and the haile courte." '
In 1533, the tacksmen of waters are ordered to pay at the
" Natiuite of our Lord, callit Zowill, the lithis of wax, to the ho-
nour of God, our Lady, and thair patroun Sanct Nicholace, con-
1 [P. 137.]
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. XXIX
forme to their auld vse and consuetud." ' Again, in 1546, " all the
inhabitantis are enjoined to come at Pasche to the vicar to pay
their duty, conforme to the auld louabill vse of this guid toun." "^
There are large contributions made occasionally for the or-
naments and vestments used by their chaplains, and many circum-
stances indicate their attachment to the existing system.
It would appear, indeed, from the king's letters in 1525, that
the Reformed opinions had been insinuating themselves in some
parts of the diocese, as that document narrates :
ForsamekiU as it is hamelie meynit and schewin to ws be ane reuerend fader in God, and our
traist consalour, Gawyne bischop of Aberdene, that quhare syndry strangearis and otheris within
his diocesy of Aberdene, has bukis of that heretik Luthyr, and favoris his arrorys and fals opinion ys
incontar oure act of Parliament laitlie maid in our last Parliament : oure will is heirfor, and we
charge you straitlie, and commandis that incontinent thir our lettres seyne, ye publise the saide
act at all places neydfull, and tak ihquisitione gyf ony persons be fundin within the sayde diocesy
of Aberdene that hes sic bukys, or fauoris sic arorys of the sayd Luthyr ; and that ye confisk thair
gudis and imbryng the samyn to our wse and profitt, efter the forme of the said act, as ye will
ansuer tharapoun. [P. 110.]
In 1543, at the request of the governor Arran, who at that time
was inclined to the reformed opinions, and had two friars to preach
to his own household, the council agreed " to gif the religiouse
men, Frer lohnne Roger, and to Frer Waltir Thomsoun, his mar-
row, to their honest sustentacioun daylie, induring thair will, thre s.,
with ane honest chalmer, and that for their leill and trew lawtaful
seruice, to be done in preching and teching of the trew vord of
God, and thair daylie prearis for the estait of the lord governouris
grace, the comment weill of this realme and of this guid toune." ^
In 1644 we find seven of the citizens convicted for having com-
mitted some injury on the black friars ; and, in the same year, the
lieutenant [Earl of Huntly] required that justice might be done on
two of the inhabitants, who were found guilty of " hinging of the
image of St. Francis."
1 [P. 149.] 3 [P. 235.] 3 [P. 189.]
XXX THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
These things may indicate a change of feeling on the part of
some of the inhabitants, but the general tenour of the entries
would indicate that the attachment to the old system continued
unabated.
The Reformation, however, notwithstanding of this apparent
loyalty to the Romish Church, met with but little opposition on
the part of the inhabitants generally. The first notice of it in
Aberdeen occurs on 4th January, 1559, when the baillies ex-
plained that certain strangers and some of the townsmen "hes
enterit to the blakfreris and quhyt freiris of this toun and
spulzeit thair placis, and takin away the gere and gudis of the
samen, with the tymmar wark and insicht, togidder with the leid
of the kirkis, and now ar enterit apoun the ruiffis of the kirkis and
biggingis, and takand away the sklayttis, tymmer, and stanis thair-
of, applyand the samen to thair awin particular uses." The baillies
therefore requested to know whether the town thought it expedient
to preserve these for " the commend weill of the toune, and spe-
cially for the furthsettin of Goddis glory, and hia trew word and
prechours tharof ; and that the toune may be the moir habill to
concur and assist for the defence of the libertie of the realme, ex-
pelling of strangeris, and suppressing of ydolatrye." The assem-
bled townsmen, with one exception, authorized the treasurer of the
burgh to intromit with the friars places and property, for the pur-
poses above specified.'
In a few days, the treasurer explained, that he could not watch
so closely as was requisite for the preservation of the friar's pro-
perty, " quhairthrow thair wald inlayk mekill thairof without dili-
gent attendance war takin thairto," and four persons were elected
to " awayt on the doun taking and keping of the samen." These
I [P. 316.]
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. XXXI
persons were also ordered to " resayf in thair keeping the chalices,
silver wark, and ornaments of thair paroche kirk, quhill the tonne
consultit quhat were expedient to be done thairwitht."
On the 12th of January, the provost, Thomas Menzies,' w^ho had
been absent from the previous meetings, when these proceedings
were sanctioned, protested against them,
First, in respect that the begynning of the said distructioune and dissipatioun of the saidis
places vees done be certan particular personis, sum extranears and sum dwelling within the toune,
quharof the haill communite wes nocht participant, hot for the maist part war innocent and fre
of the said cryme ; and gyff the baillies and toune wald continew and compleit the distructioune
begun by wthers, and employ the residew of the saidis places in the towniss usis, the haill toun
vald be reput art and part, and participant of the said crym, and stand wnder the accusatioune
of the authorite thairfor, to the gryt hurt, damnage, and detriment of this burght, and the puir
innocent burgessis thairof ; secundlie, the sayds prechers war toUerat be permissioune of the
authorite. quhar and quhow thai plesit, quhill the tent day of Januar instant, be ane contract and
appunctment maid betuix the quenis grace and the principalis of the congregatioun, eftir the
said tent day is dissoluit and expyrit, and that the toune aucht nocht to mak expenssis on the
sustentatioun of precheors, bot the bischop aucht to mak the same, and find us sufficient
precheors quha resauis his duety thairfor, and sua to employ the townis commound gude in sic
waiss is contrar the commound weill of the toune, and aucht nocht to be allowit to the auditors
of the townis compts ; thairfor the said Thomas Menzes, prowest, for himself and his adherentis,
dissentit to all distructioune and dissipatioun of the said kirks and places, and applying of the
same or ony part thairof in the uses of the toune, and siclik of employing or bestowing of the
townis commound gud or on^- part thairof on the saids precheors ; and he, as prowest, inhibit
Dauid Mar, thesaurar, to deliuer ony money or mak expenssis on the said precheors of the emo-
luments of the toune ; and protestit solemptly that he and his adherentis be nocht reput art, part,
nor participant of the saidis crymes, nor incur danger, damnage, nor skayth thairfor in tym
cuming ; upoun the quhilks he tuk act and instrument, in presens of the haill toune. [P. 318.]
This protest was adhered to by fifteen of the inhabitants, but no-
thing followed on it.
On the 11th March, 1559, it was resolved to support " The Con-
gregation," and a tax of £400 was levied to defray the expense of
forty men of war, who were to be sent to its assistance.
On the 16th June following, the chaplains of St. Nicholas Church
presented a supplication to the Council, making mention
That quhair thai ar suirly aduertist, and is notowrly knawin, that certane personis in to the
southt partis of Scotland hes interpryssit at thair awin hands, without ony ordor or consent of the
1 [The family of Menzies of Pitfodels continued to adhere to the Roman Catholic church till
the family became extinct, which happened on the death of the late John Menzies of Pitfodels,
without issue, in 1843.]
E
XXXU THE EDITORS PREFACE.
authorite, to distroy kirks, religious places, and the ornaments and polacie of the same, thairfor
desjrand the prouest, baillies, and counsell to provyd the esiast way of remeid, as thai sell think
gold, for defending and mentening of thair said proche kirk, and preserving of the chalices, siluer
wark, kaippis, and ornaments of the same, and to put the same in suir firmance and keiping quhill
the said uproir and tumilt war put to tranquilite be the antient and wyse counsell of the realme.
Quhilk bill being red, and the contents thairof understand and considderit, the haill counsell
thocht expedient to transport the townis euidents furth of the kirk, and siclyk the grit occryst,
chalices, siluer wark, and the maist coistly ornaments of the kirk, and to put the same in suir
firmance and keeping, and ane invitor to be maid thairupoune, and to intromett, preserue, and
keip the townis euidentis, nemit and chesit Thomas Menzeis, prouest, Dauid Mar, Maister Patrick
Ruyerfurd, and Walter Cullane, quhilkis accepit the said cuir and charge upoun thame. [P. 323.]
On the 6th January, 1561, the whole " silver wark, brasin wark,
kaippis, and ornaments of their paroche kirk, were roupit, and the
grytest sum offerit for the same wes ane hundred fortie tua pound,
be Patrik Menzes for the keippis, xxi s. for ilk unce of silver, xvi
s. for ilk stane of brass, extending in the haill to the sovme of £540
money of Scotland. The silver wark and ornaments consisted of
the following articles :
Heir foUowis the inuitor of the said siluer wark and ornamentis : Item, imprimis, the eucharyst
of four pound and two unce of siluer ; item, ane chalice of our lady of pity in the wowlt, nyn-
tene unce ; item, our lady chalice of the sowth yill, nyntene unce and ane quart vnce ; item,
Sanct Peteris chalice, fyftene vnce and ane half wnce ; item, tuo pair of censuris, of tretty aucht
wnce togidder witht four crowattis and ane litill schip of saxtene vnce and ane half; item, ane
chalice of Sanct Johnne the Ewangelist, thretty unce and ane half vnce ; item, the hospitall
chalice, sewintene vnce and ane half; item, our lady chalice of brig cheppell, tuenty unce ; item,
Sanct Duthakis chalice, twelf wnce and ane quarter wnce ; item, Sanct Nicolas chalice, thretty
nyne vnce and ane half vnce ; item, Sanct Clementis chalice, tene vnce and ane quart vnce ; item,
the Ruid chalice, saxten vnce, all of siluer ; item, ane keipe, ane chesabill, witht two tynnakillis,
haill fournist with reid weluet, flourit and indentit with gold ; item, ane kaip of fyne claytht of
gold ; item, ane kaip of claytht of gold, fresit with reid veluott ; item, ane kaip and chesabill
witht tynnakillis, haill furnist of gold, fresit on grene veluott ; item, two keipis of reid veluott,
orpheist with gold. [P. 320.]
Thus quietly did the Reformed Church take the place of its pre-
decessor, in a place, too, where it has generally been supposed
that the latter was very firmly seated.
Some interesting notices are preserved of the state of anarchy
into which society had sunk in the early part of the sixteenth
century.
From an entry on 2d October, 1525, we find that Alexander
THE EDITOR'S PEEFACE. XXXlll
Setoun of Meldrum, John Leslie of Wardes, William Leslie of
Balquhain, Alexander Leslie of that Ilk, and thair accomplices,
to the number of 80 spears or thereby, at the solicitation of John
CoUisone elder, who was an inhabitant and burgess, attacked the
town under silence of night, and slew and wounded a considerable
number of the citizens.
Some proceedings followed on this camisado, but the dispute was
settled by mutual arbiters ; and in 1527, we find that Leslie of
Balquhain and Leslie of Wardes, in presence of the Lord Justice
and componitouris, became bound, for themselves and kin, that
the town should not be molested by them in time coming.^
The causes of this outrage have hitherto not been well under-
stood. From some of the ordinances and statutes enacted by the
community at the time, it appears quite clear that the disputes
took their rise from the interference of the country barons with
the elections of the provost, and other municipal oflScers of the
burgh, under the pretence of their having tacks of part of the
town's freedom-lands, and also being honorary burgesses of the
town. These statutes are contained in a volume (apparently the
original manuscript) now in the General Register House at Edin-
burgh, (where it was recently discovered,) which, as appears from
another entry, was called the town's " Buk of Statutis." In this
volume alone many of the statutes passed by the community in the
early part of the sixteenth century are to be found, as they were
not engrossed in the Council Register. On 26th May, 1525,
The haiU body of the guid toune, reuoluand and considerand quhow thair honorable progeni-
touris hes leuit as the kingis frie burgesses thir mony yeiris bygane, past memorie of man, quhen
thai haf bene diuers and mony tymes inuadit boytht be lordis and gentilmen in the contreth, be-
lewand to haf the superiorete of tharae be way of electioune of thair prowest, intending thairby to
haif subdeuit the haill communite to thame and to thair houses, for quhair the heid is ontrune
the memberis may nocht guidley resist ; and quhen honourablie to thir our dait our said progeni*
1 [P. 111.] S [P. 115.]
XXXIV THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
touris hes defendit this guiA'toune at liberalitie, frie of thraldome and of all thirleth, and now it
is belewit and dreid that certane of the nichtbouris intendis at this tyme intysing of the provest to
inbring gentilmen to landwart, quhilk hes bene our guid freindis, be senister informatioune, to
stop the nichbouris of the toune of thair electioune, quhilk thai and thair forbiaris hes haid past
memorie of man, as said is, becaus now thair the assedatioune to set, thinking thairby to subdew
this communitie to thame.i
Therefore it was provided that any person bringing in any " out-
landis" man to stop the community in the free election of their
provost, should lose his freedom of the burgh, and be unable to in-
joy any office of honour among the burgesses thereafter, " Sua that
we may leif all the kingis frie burgesses, ready to do him seruice at
his gi*ace command, and able to him sted and pleasour, as notable is
knawin to every man of guid in the contretht."
And gif thair be any gentilman to landuart that ar burgesses of this guid toune, nor
hes menit nocht within the sam, nor yet scottis, lottis, walkis, nor wardis vrithin this guid
toune, hot in tyme of cheising of thair provest thai sal half no woit amangis thame, nor sal
cum nocht within the tolbuith to stop our frie electioun, and gif thay do that, thai sal half
uo place, and thair wottis sail stand na sted ; and inlikwayis thai ordanit that the provest and
bailies of this instant yeiris keep and defend thair tolbuith to the chesing of thair new pro-
vest, sua that na man cum thairin except induelleris of the said burght, nor half wot nor entres
amangis thame, in tyme cuming of thair said electioune.
On the last day of September, the above statute was ratified
and approved by the whole town, " na manor of persone, small nor
gryt, in na degree opponand nor sayand in the contrar, except
lohne Collisone elder, and certan of his complices, to the number
of [ ] quhilkis opponit and said that gentill men of landuart,
sic as the lairdis of Drum, Wardes, Balquhyne, and Meldrum, suld
have thair wottis." ^
John CoUison, having been thus thwarted in his projects, appears
to have then concerted the disloyal attack on the burgh before
noticed, thinking that, as he could not obtain the influence of those
1 [Buk of Statutis.]
3 [The following note occurs in the Book of Statutes in a different hand : " It is to remembes
this John Colesoun had the lard of Drums brother to his son in law, and Balquhaine and Warder
to his wyffes sonnes, and Meldrum to his wyffis bruder. Ane ambesowus proud man was this
John Colesoun.'T
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. XXXV
lairds, whose votes he wished to be received in the election of the
provost, in a peaceable way, he might attain his end by rougher
methods. The armed attack of the barons took place immediately
after the day for the annual election of the provost and magistrates.
There had been for some time a feud between the town and
the gentlemen of the name of Forbes in the county ; and on 10th
July, 1521, we find statutes passed, in which it is said that the
provost " exponit the grit damnag, skayth, crwell spoulze, and
havy oppressioun, doune to him, to dyverse vtheris nychtbouris
of the said burgh, and to the lands subdewit to thair commvnity,
sic as destructioun of thair cornys, bayth one field, out of stakis,
and bamis, broking and doune casting of thair cruiflfis on the water
of Dovne, spoulze of thair movabill guidis, and hereing of thair
purtenentis be Johne Lord Forbes, and his complessis, with con-
uocatioun of the kingis legis, command in the said burght vnder
trast, with ane noble and mychty lord, Alexander Erll of Huntlie,
regent and luftennand to our souerane lord, of the northt of Scot-
land, the aucht day of Julii instant"' It was therefore ordained
that every inhabitant should have ready his jak, splent, knapschaw,
with axe, sword, spear, halbert, and other fencible weapons ; also,
that no strangers should be admitted into the burgh without a rigid
scrutiny. On the 12th of that month, the council resolved to
complain to the king and ask redress of the
Gret oppressioun and crueU spoulze dovne to the said burght, fischingis and fredomis of the
samyn, be Johne Lord Forbes and his complices, and to impetrat our souerane lordis lettres in the
stratest forme, and vnder the heast and greatest paine that thar can be gottin . . . for lawbourris
to be had of the saids Lordis Forbis, his kin and frendis, that the said burght, induellaris of the
samyn, thar landis and gudis, salbe harmles and skathles of him and thame, and all that thai may
latt, swa that the said nychtbouris may leif vnder the kingis pace, as merchandis and craftismen,
to serue his grace within the realme, and to be exemptit fra ane nobill and michti lord Alexander
I-rll of Huntlie, regent andluftenand of the north, for causes, &c., and to that effect has ordanit
ane mandet to be maid on the straitest forme, and has ordanit the statutis maid be thame the said
1 [Buk of Statutis.]
XXXVl THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
day, quhilk ar contenit in thair buk of statutis, to be ingrossit in perchment, and baith the said
procuratory and statutis to be sellit with thair commend seill, quhilk thai haue chargit the
keiparis of the samen do, as thai will answer to tham thare apone.i
For the protection of the provost, the council
Apprevit the furth taking of thar artellery and powder be Gilbert Menzes his frendis and ser-
uandis out of the cheppell of the hill, for the defens of his hous and gudis, and in defence of the
said touue and thar fredomis in all tyme to cum.2
In 1522, James Forbes of Auchintoul, one of the clan, took and
imprisoned a burgess of the town under silence of night, " he beand
in the kingis seruice," for which violence complaints were made to
the governor and lords of the realm.'
Lord Forbes, the head of the house, had been in the way of
receiving from the town an yearly propyn of a tun of wyne, for his
aid in protecting the salmon fishings on the Dee and Don. This,
however, had been refused by the town, and, as it appears, for a
very sufficient reason.
The said day, the haile tovne present for the tyme, all in ane voce disassentit that thar be ony
pensioun in tyme cummand gevin to the Lord Forbess, or till ony vtheris for the keping of thair
vatteris, becauss thai ar informit that thai that suld be keparis of the saym, are principale de-
stroyars and feschars of thame in vndew tyme ; protestand solemptlie, that gif ony sic pensioun
be takin in tyme cuming, that it be haldin as reif and blak mail, and for remeide of law, quhen
tyme'and place may be fundin oportune. [P. 136.]
The answer of the town to a demand of his lordship's for this
yearly pension is exceedingly graphic.
My lord, we commend us to your lordschip with al hartlie seruice quhom pleis wit, we haue
seen ane writin send be your lordschip to our prouest, to be schawin to vs, with certan cred-
dence, be your lordschip seruand, Robert Lumisdaill, quhilk writins and credence we haue con-
siderit and avisit with. And to the first, quhar your lordschip desirs pamint of ane tun of
wyne, sua that it is we promest your lordschipe the said tovne of wyne for wyther causs than
your lordschipe credence baris. Pleis your lordschipe, gif ws your band, wud your seill and
subscriptioun, to cans the blak fische be keipit in vndew tyme, and to puneis the slaaris
tharof be justice, be our souerane lordis auctorite, quhilk your lordschipe hes and sal haue
agane, gif neid beis ; and, as was promest, yhur lordschipe sail haue our band, quhilk is liand
in our clerkis handis, to the tyme your lordschipis band cum to this effect, as was commond.
That beand done, your lordschipe sal haue our said band and thankful pament yerlie, sa lang
as your lordschipe keipis ws your band to that effect. My lord, quhar your lordschipe desiris
1 [Buk of Statutis.] 2 [Council Register, vol. x., p. 336.] 3 [ibid, p. 102.]
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. XXXvii
this wyne for ane tytil ye haue to ane half nettis iisching of Done ; my lord, in guid faith,
we kene nocht that euer your lordschipe had ony titill or rycht thairto, and as for ws we
ar oure small mene to hald ony thing fra your lordschipe ye haue rycht to ; and for ws we
will neuer gif your lordschipe ony thing for ony tytil or rycht your lordschipe hes to ony
watter amangis ws. And quhar your lordschipe desiris ws to he kind to your lordschipe, as ye
haue hene to ws in times hygane, my lord, we thank your lordschipe of kyndnesse higane, and
prayis your lordschipe to perseuere in tym cuming, for we sal euer desserue the samyn at your
lordschipe, he Goddis grace, quhom haue your lordschipe in keiping, at your maist nohill hartis
desire. Of Aherden, the xx day of May, [1530].
A few months after this, viz., in July, 1530, Alexander Forbes of
Bnix and his accomplices attacked the town. The citizens took
arms and repelled the invaders, driving them to the Greyfriars
place, where they were besieged for twenty-four hours. A servant
of the laird of Brux and some of the citizens were killed, and a
good many on both sides were wounded. The magistrates com-
plained to the king for this outrage, and the Forbeses prompted a
trial of the provost and several of the principal citizens before the
Justiciary Court, as the alleged transgressors. From this charge,
however, they were acquitted ; and letters from the king were
directed to the SheriiF of Aberdeen, requiring him to exact caution
from most of the name of Forbes, that the town should be " skaith-
less at their hand in time cuming." '
In consequence of these " cruell slauchters, murthers, and op-
pressionis done to thame and to thair nichtbours be gentlemen of
the cuntre" the former statutes, requiring the citizens to have their
armour ready, and to provide for watching the town, were re-
newed. The ordinance on this latter head is as follows :
And, attour, it is statut and ordanit that thair be feit four personis : that is to say, tua to the
stipill of the tolbuitht, and tua to Santt Nicholace stepill, and thar to remayne eurilk day, salang
as day licht lastis ; and thair to spy quhat maner of [persons] on fut or on hors, to quhat nomer
or quhat get thai cum to the toun. And the watch that beis in Santt Nicholass stepill to haue ane
waif or tua within the samyn ; and quhen he seis ony man cummand to the toun ridand, gif their
be hot ane, gif hot a knell with the bell, and gif thair beis tua, tua knellis ; and gif thair beis
mair, ay as he can nomer them, sa mony men as he jugis, to gif sa mony knellis. And gif thai be
sa mony that he cannot guydUe tell thaim, than to knell ay continuall ; and quhowsone the watch
1 [P. 137.]
XXXVIU THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
in the tolbuitht heiris him knelland continuall and fast, than he sail jow the comond bell, ay and
quhill the toune be in thair geir and harness. And the watch that beis in Sanct Nicholace stepill,
to pyt on the waiffs that he hes, to the part of the toun he seis thame cumand to, sua that it may
be knaw quhat port and art of the toon thai com to.
As to arms, " every craftismen was to haif his wapin ; that is
to say, dense aix or halbert besyd hiin in his wirkin house, and
quhan he passis to the gait, to turss the samin in his hand, or ellis
sum fensabill wapin on his persoun, swa that thai be abill at all
tymes to debate thame selflF and thair nichtbouris, and this guid
toun." •
A request made about this time by the king, on behalf of Patrick
Forbes, for a lease of the lands of Ardlair, which had been mortified
by Bishop Gavin Dunbar for upholding the bridge of Dee, and of
which the magistrates were the managers, presents a curious pic-
ture of the unhappy state of the country, under the system of mis-
government which prevailed. The answer of the town to the king's
request, which was refused, was undoubtedly dictated by the great
evils which had arisen to the burgh from granting tacks to the
country barons, and thus giving them a pretext for interfering with
the internal polity of the burgh. It bore,
That the landis of Ardler war gewin for the ouphald and mantenyng of the said brig, quhilk
is the commoun weill of the haill countre ; and thai landis ar circuit betuixt the landis of the
Forbessis and the Lesleyis, quhilkis of auld hes bene in greyt innimite,2 and thai bayth desiris
to hef entres of the saidis landis. And schir, gif ather of thaim gettis entes thairto, thai sell in
schort tyme thaireftir appropir the samyn to tham and thairis, and suld be accasioun of renewyng
of the auld displesur done amangis thame, and we callit the occasioneris thairof Quharfor,
Bchir, your graces haill toune of Aberdene, beyng conuenit in the tolbuith of the samyn, and
circularly inquirit, all in ane voce, dissentit that thai landis suld be sett to other Forbes or
Lesly, or to ony vther gentillman, for the causis forsaid ; but aUanerlie, to husband men,
laboraris of the ground, that wald gif maist thairfor, to the vttermost profyt of that commoun
1 [Bukof Statutis.]
2 [" And in the north partis also — thair was in the shyre of Aberdene gryt and scherp weris
betuix the two sirnames of the Lesleis and the Forbesses and thair frindes and assistariis, and
sindry scharp skarmisheis with great slauchter boith of barones gentlemen and commones quhilk
continewit mony yeires almaist during the kingis les aige quhill at last thay wer aggreit be the
labouris of the pnncipalle noble men of the realme and lordes of the counsaU." The History of
Scotland, from the death of King James I. in the year m.cccc.xxxvi. to the year m.d.lxi. By
John Lesley, Bishop of Ross. Edin. 1830.]
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. XXxix
wark ; and instantly thai cliesit certane commissaris to sett tlie saidis landis, quhilkis hes sett tlie
samyn to liusband men, laboraris of the ground, for fywe yeiris ; and this wes done afor your nobill
graces vryting com till ws ane lang tyme. Schir, our haill beleif is, ye will hef mair respect
and desire to the mantenyng of the commoun weill of sic ane commoun werk, then to ony ane
of ws particularly. Forthir, schir, our self and all that we heff are reddy to fulfill quhat it sell
playse your nobill grace to charge, as knawis G-od, quhome be keipar of your grace, at your
maist nobill hartes desir. At Abirdene, the sewint day of Februar. Sic subscribitur, ve your
graces puir and humill seruandis prowest, baizes, and consale of your burgh of Abirdene. [P. 152.]
Again in 1558 the Earl of Huntly made a similar request for a
tack of these landis in favour of William Leslie, son and apparent
heir of John Leslie of Balquhaine, in regard to which
The haill communite of the said brught being particularlie, euery man be himself, votit and
inquyrit thairupoun, be the ordour of the suit rol, all maneir of persone refusit allanerlie to gif
the said William Leslie ony tytill, tak, tolleranss, or intres to the saidis landis ; hot the same
to be sett in tak to tennents, lauborars of the ground, haUlan and foUoioand the pleucht with thair
awin hands, to he haldyn immediatelie of the toune, for payment of sic mayll and dwety as the
toune as thai sell condiscend and appunct thairupoune ; and na lord, laird, nor burgess to haf ony
tak or intres thairto, hot onlie the laborars of the ground with thair awyne hands, as said is, con-
forme to the act and ordinance mayd be the haill toune thairupoune obefoir, quhilk thai var
suorn and oblist to obserflf, as the said act purports, of the dayt the sevint day of October, the
yeirof God jm.vc xlvij yeirs. [P. 307.]
Some statutes on the subject of swyne and middings do not im-
press us with an exalted idea of the cleanliness of the town in
former days.
That na swyne be hauldin within this burgh, vteuche band in somer seasoun for destroying of
the cornis, fra the tyme the cornis be sawin quhill it be scheme and led. Alse, that all swyne
croiffis maid apone the forgait, under stairis, and wther plaicis, be destroyit, and cassin doune ;
and that nane presuppene to mak ony sic croiffis in deformite of the King's gait in tyme to cum
under the pane of viii s unforgevin; and that na swyn be hauldin in fyre housses on the nicht for
danger of fyre, under the samen pane.
Item, that all the swyne within this tovnn be removid and devidit of the tovnne, or ellis lialdin
and kepit fast in houssis, within xlviij houris efter, vnder the pane of eschaeting of thame that
beis fundin gangand one the gait thairefter, to be disponit to the folkis in the Linkis, as the
bailzeis and counsale sail think expedient.
Elikwiss, it is deuisit and ordanit that thair be oppin proclamatioun maid, &c., that all myd-
dingis now lying on the hiegait throw all the townn, that thai be removit and put away within viii
dayis heirefter : certefeing all and sindrie the inhabitantis and tennentis of the landis, quhom
befoir the said myddingis lyis, that, an thai dycht [nocht] cleng, and mak the kingis gait woyd of
the samyne, thai sail be cassin in at thair yettis and durris, and thai to fall in danger of ane vnlaw
of viii 8. vnforgevin, but ony fauoris.l
It is not perhaps to be wondered at, that there should be so
» [Buk of Statutis.]
F
xl THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
many entries on the subject of remedies for the pest and other di-
seases, which must have found everything prepared for their ra-
vages.
Item, that diligent inqaisitioan be takin of ale infect personis with this strange seiknes of
Nappillis, for the sawetie of the toun ; and the personis beand infectit therwith be chargit to keip
thame in ther howssis and vther places, fra the haill folkis.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the alderman and consale for the eschevin of the
infirmijey cumm out of Franche and Strang partis, that all licht weman be chargit and ordanit
to decist fra thar vicis and syne of venerie, and al thair buthis and houssis skalit, and thai to pas
and wirk for thar sustentacioun, vnder the payne of ane key of het yme one thar chekis, and
banysene of the toune.
Item, that nayne infeckit folkis with the seiknes of Napillis be haldin at the common fleschouss,
or with the fleschouris, baxteris, brousteris, ladinaris, for sauete of the toun, and the personis
infectit sale keip thame quyat in thar housis, zhardis, or vther comat placis, quhill thai be haill
for the infectioun of the nichtbouris.1
The first notice of a doctor is in 1503, when the Town agreed to
give him a yearly pension of ten merkis, on his agreing to make
personal residence within the burgh " and cum and vesy tham that
beis seik, and schow tham his medicin, on thar expensis." ^
The following ordinances are illustrative of some ancient cus-
toms:
A statute made on the 26 May, 1525, by the command and council of ane right woirschipfull dark
Mr. John Dingwall, protinnoter apostolick, arsdiacone of Cathenes, persoun of Strathbrock,
chancellor of Aberdene, and wiccar of the samen.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the provest, bailies, and conseU of this guid tounne,
aU in ane woce, with consent and assent of all the singers of the queir, quhilkis ar the tounis feallis,
that is to say. Sir Andro Cowper, SirWilliam Cowper, Sir Thomas Bevyng, Sir Johne Cuming, thar
organster. Sir Dauid Loremar, chaplanis ; William Strathauchin and Gilbert Robertson, clarkis, for
continuall wphalding, mentenance, and keiping of guid service within the said queir, to the laud and
gloir of Grod, the blissit evangel, and thair patroun, and all Sanctis, that all the singaris forsaid
sail wphald and keip continuallie all dewyne seruice usit and wont, within the said kirk, and in
speciaU, dayle mess, mating, and ewing sang, boyth feriall dayis and festiuall dayis, except that
the said Sir Johne Cuming, for teaching of the said scuill, and the said Gilbert Robertson for
his study, ar apportionat, on feriall dayis, quhane thair is na [ ] proper scoleis, allanerlie
to depart fra mass at the laudis, and fra the chaplane at the ewing song, for the cause befoir
expremit, and quha that beis fund absent sal pay for ilk fait, on the feriall days ii d., on the haly
day four pennies, and in ilk principall fest viii d. vnforgiven, quhilkis faltis salbe present to the
maister of the kirk wark, coUectit and wptakin be him euery quarter, and disponit be the saidis
1 [Bnk of Statutis.] a [P. 34L]
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. xH
wicar and consellis awyse to the keperis of the said seruice or to what vther meritor wark thay
think speidfull, and quhe that cumis to the queir, and will nocht sing, or that heis notit haldan
tank in the samen, salbe report as absent. Item, the toune consentis that Sir Johne Cuming be
pardonit fra matingis one feriall dayis, quhane he is teiching the sang scuil, and quhane he is
nocht teiching the said skuole, then his faultis be wrettin with vtheris, and that his conscience be
examinat ther [anent] euerilk sanct day.
Item, it is statut and ordanit, and for act perpetuall ratefeit and apprewit be the prowest.
baillies, and consal of this guid toune, all in ane voce, that fra thyn furth quhene thair hapins ane
man of guid that hes borne office within the towne to deceiss, or of the consall of the toune de-
ceiss, the segister that beis for the tyme sail ring all that nicht and till his dirige, and salbe mess,
and sail half thairfor vi s. viii d. : and gif thair deis ony substantious freman within this burght
fra thyne furtht, that the said segistar sail ring his mening but thryse, and at his dirage salbe
mess, and sail half thairfoir fywe s. ; and quhen thair decessis ane craftisman within this burght,
the segster to ring bot to his sawill mess, and to half thairfoir iiii s. ; and that thai half for thair
grawis iiii s. ; and that he haif for grawis making, boyth in kirk and kirk yaird, bot use and wont.
The saide day, the alderman, balyeis, and diuerss vtheris of the consale present for the tyme,
grantit to Mabuys belman xx s. to by him ane pee for to pass ilka Mononday throucht the toune,
in the morning, to name and pray for the saulis gevin him in bile, as vyss and wont is, and has
bene tymes bigen. [P. 427.]
There are many incidental notices of political personages and
events scattered throughout the volume. Among others are those
relative to the government on the minority of James II. — to the
Earl of Mar, brother of James III. — the death of James III. —
and Perkin Warbeck.
The lists of furniture, clothing, weapons, dress, culinary instru-
ments, and articles of merchandise, with their value in money at
diflferent periods, which are to found throughout the volume, con-
tain much valuable information for a comparison of the state of
the country at diflferent eras. The numerous assizes of all kinds
of grain, ale, wine, and provisions, are valuable for a similar reason.
On the whole, it is hoped that the selections now printed will
be regarded as no inconsiderable addition to already existing ma-
terials for a history, not merely of the locality to which they more
immediately relate, but of the people of Scotland.
The Editor takes this opportunity of acknowledging the courtesy
of John Angus, Esq., the City Clerk, and a member of the Council
of the Club, who, on all occasions, afforded a liberal and ready
xlii THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
access to the Registers ; a favour which they only who have had
occasion to refer to them as frequently as the Editor had, will be
able duly to appreciate.
JOHN STUART.
Aberdeen, 23d November, 1844.
CONTENTS.
CONTENTS.
1398-
-Nov.
18,
18,
1399-
-Feb.
*,
Nov.
15,
1400-
-Nov.
12,
1410-
-Oct.
30,
30,
1411-
_
1418-
-Oct.
10,
1434— Oct.
4,
1439-
-Oct.
5,
1440-
-Oct.
3,
1441-
-Sept.
12,
12,
1442-
-Jan.
23,
25,
Feb.
18,
Sept.
5,
5,
5,
5,
5,
5,
5,
5,
1443-
-Sept.
*,
1444-
-Feb.
7,
7,
April
14,
June
4,
Oct.
9,
PAGE
Office of Forester neglected 3
Destroyers of Wood 3
Charge of Rebellion against the Bailies 3
Tack of the Forest granted 3
The Forest committed to the charge of the officers for a year 4
Foresters convicted of neglect of office 4
John Williamson convicted of destroying wood 4
List of Thieves 4
Collation by the Chancellor of Aberdeen of a Master to the Gram-
mar School 4
Process for a ground annual due to the Trinity Friars 5
Process for two ground annuals due to the Trinity Friars 6
Alexander Irvine of Drum continued captain and governor of the
burgh 6
Act for recovering certain ships and goods seized by the English, 6
Two masters of the common work of the town to be elected 7
Act of the council against John of Caydow 7
Ordinance regarding a contribution to the king's daughter 7
Contribution to the king's daughter to be raised 8
Ordinance for defence of the burgh 8
All yetts to be closed 8
Thirty men to watch the town 8
No strangers to be harboured 8
Back yetts to be shut 9
The community sworn to rise when required 9
Assize of bread, ale, and flesh to bo kept 9
The Crafts' duties in " the ofFerand of our Lady at Candlemas". . . 9
Act anent the repair of the Bridge of Balgowney 10
Mathew Fichet acquitted of having complained to lord Errol 10
Memorandum regarding a contribution to the king's sister 10
Copy letter sent to the Earl of Ross by the provost and council... 10
Fleshers to clean the flesh house 1 1
Assize of flesh 1 1
Certain shipwrecked men state that they have no complaint
against any of the inhabitants 1 1
xlvi
CONTENTS.
1444— Oct.
9,
Dec.
13,
...
13,
16,
1445— Feb.
18,
March 20,
April
19,
...
30,
...
30,
...
30,
Oct.
4,
I447_0ct.
2,
6,
1448— Jan.
17,
June
9,
15,
15,
July
1,
Oct.
4,
Dec.
1449— Oct.
10,
1450— Feb.
19,
April
15,
Nov.
3,
1451— Sept.
13,
1452— April
21,
1453— May
22,
Oct.
5,
1456— July
20,
20,
1459— Dec.
2,
1461— ...
22,
1462— Jan.
13,
1462— Jan.
20,
1463— July
12,
Act anent the surprize by William Mathouson to John Gall 12
The inhabitants to assist the alderman in maintaining law 12
Persons, thrice convicted for " barganyng and tulyheing," to be
sent to the king 12
Dispute anent freight of goods in a barge wrecked at the Scaw... 13
An Englishman and his children received into safeguard by two
of the bailies, &c 13
Letter, James II. to the burghs of Aberdeen and Inverness 13
Fleshers to kill sufficient quantities of meat, &c 14
Abbots of Bon-Accord not to get fees in future 14
No Abbot of Bon-Accord to be for the current year 14
The council are to endeavour to be sheriffs within the burgh 14
Process for ground annuals due to the Trinity Friars 14
Process for ground annuals due to the Trinity Friars 15
The chaplains to be governed by the alderman and council 15
Ordinance on account of the apparent war with Englishmen 15
Ordinance anent regretars of butter, cheese, and eggs 16
Enquiry to be made as to a slander against the parson of Dunottir
for slaughter of a man 16
Sale of a house proclaimed at the cross 17
A propine to be offered to the king on his visit to the burgh 17
Agreement as to certain men taken from Hartlepool 17
Keepers of the forest of Stocket fined 18
Every merchant, sending goods to Bruges, to give wool, &c., in
honor of St. Nicholas 18
John Trail ordained to bring home " the blew stane til his fadre," 18
Earl of Orkney to be paid his pension for "freying of the toune," 18
A eucariste of silver presented in court 19
A dispute between two shipmasters remitted to the king and
council 19
The town to be fortified with walls 19
A keeper of the orloge appointed 20
Chaplains to perform daily service in the parish church 20
Traders to Fluss, in Flandria, ordanit to frequent the hospitium of
Laurence Pomstrat 20
Sir Henry Hervy made chaplain of St. Nicholas' altar 21
The vicar of Inverugy is to be master of work at building a bridge
over the Dee 22
Anent those failing to pay their rents 22
Letters of manrent, by the alderman, bailies, and council, to the
Earlof Huntly 22
A dispensation to be brought to Sir Walter Stewart 23
Alexander of Culan chooses curators 23
CONTENTS.
xlvii
1463— July 14,
... 18,
Aug. 30,
Dec. 20,
1466— March 20,
1467— June 30,
Dec. 2,
1468— March 20,
... 27,
1470— Jan. 23,
Aug. 8,
1471— Feb. 27,
1472— Jan. 8,
1474— Jan. 30,
Nov. 3,
1475— May 2,
... 11,
Sept.
17,
1476— May
30,
1477— April
14.,
Sept,
15,
18,
Oct.
7,
10,
1479— Jan.
10,
June
7,
Sept.
13,
1480— March 17,
1481— April
2,
May
21,
June
27,
1483— May
16,
June
27,
1484— Jan.
1.3,
PAGE
Davy Patrikson to be punished 24
Letter to the Earl of Huntly, excusing the town from joining him 24
Letter to Lord Forbes as to complaints against some of the in-
habitants 25
Decision of a dispute anent " ane ferthing of ane Inglis nobill"... 26
Letter of the burgh of Perth as to a doubtful legal question 26
Judgment against John Robertson, dictus Christ 27
Penance imposed on Thomas Quelp 27
Letter of the burgh of Edinburgh as to a doubtful legal question, 28
Letter of the burgh of Dundee as to a doubtful legal question 29
Letter of the king, in favour of James Hervy, of a tenement in the
burgh 29
Letter of the king, in favour of Agnes Lilbnme and spouse, of a
tenement 30
Andrew Murray chosen belman 30
The chaplain of the Rude Altar to have ten merks yearly 31
The chaplain of St. Michael's Altar to have £6 13s. 4d. of the
common purse 31
No dean of gild chosen this year 31
Contract for lead for St. Nicholas .32
Offerings at the Rude Altar and Brown Cross Altar to be divided
equally 32
Letter of protection for a year, from the king, in favour of John
Spens 33
Sir Henry Hervy's pension to be paid from the Justice Mill 34
Letter from the king, ordaining the town to assist the Earl of Mar, 34
Certain fees assigned to the building of the choir 35
Divine service to be performed daily in the choir 35
The alderman to superintend the building of the choir for two
years, 35
More money assigned to assist the building of the choir 36
Yennells to be closed 36
Sir Walter Young, chaplain, to perform service in church 36
The master of the Grammar School to receive £5 yearly 36
Payment for mending the pavement of the town 37
Anent the " fossis" about the town , 37
Anent the " fossis" 37
The haven to be locked 38
Those removing from the defence of the town to be banished 38
Lime from Dysart sold to the " kirk wark" of the Burgh 38
Anent masons of " the luge" 38
Anent disputes between Sir Andrew Gray and Sir Walter Young,
chaplains , 39
G
xhiii
1+84— Jan.
30,
April
15,
May,
4,
July
16,
Nov.
19,
1487— May
25,
Nov.
13,
1488— May
31,
...
31,
...
31,
1489— Sept.
12,
1490— June
16,
1492— Feb.
11,
1493— Aug.
11,
27,
Nov.
15,
22,
1494— Jan.
28,
May
12,
...
21,
June
20,
Aug.
11,
Oct.
10,
1495— March 18,
29,
April
10,
July
3,
Sept. 9,
Dec.
11,
1496— Feb.
3,
May
8,
July
11,
1497 — Jane
7,
...
11,
July
4,
h
• ••
*,
• ••
*,
CONTENTS.
I'AGE
The inhabitants to have their weapons ready 40
John the Boss, baxter, to bear no weapons under night 40
John Gray, mason, chosen " maister" of St. Nicholas "wark"... 41
Richard Ancr am chosen mason for Sanct Nicholas work 41
The constable of Aberdeen elects a sergeant 42
No cattle to pasture on the Links 42
Complaint against Sir John Rutherford as a masterful oppressor... 42
Andrew Cowpar gets the haill clerkship of the Castlegate 44
Sandy Vocat gets a gift of tlie prayer-bell 45
Richard Boyle gets the clerkship of the Gallowgate and Gastraw. 45
Articles regarding the death of James III 45
Penance imposed on Christian Lilbwrne 46
The Sunday's fish and St. Nicholas' metts are let 46
List of the Town's Charters 46
" The thingis grantit to the reformation of the queir" 48
Alexander Irvine of Drum settles his effects on his children 51
Two masons engaged for the kirk work 52
Anent the reformation of the "knok" 52
The Stoket to be defended against the claim of Andrew Wod 52
The claim of Andrew Wood (admiral) to be resisted 53
Commissioners chosen for resisting his claim 53
Wood's claim rejected by the lords of council 53
All inhabitants between 16 and 60 to be ready for war 54
Acquittances for various payments, among others archdeacon Bar-
bour's obits 55
Propine to the king on his visiting the burgh, and also to the
Earl of Bothwell 55
Composition for a tax 55
Money lent for the work of the choir 56
Eight Englishmen, of the Duke of York's, [Perkin Warbeck] di-
rected to the town by the king, to be sustained 57
A propine to the king, for licence to remain from going into Eng-
land 50
Letter from the king as to the exportation of wool and hides 58
Penance imposed on William Belty 59
Abbot and Prior of Bonaccord chosen 59
Convention of the inhabitants at the Cunnighar Hill, well armed. 59
Various inhabitants fined for failing to watch the town 60
The town to be guarded against " the aid inemeis of Ingland"... 60
Anent the landing of " our aid inemeis of Ingland" 61
Anent the safety of the men of Torry 61
Nonresidenters to be punished 61
Anent the landing of the Englishmen and safety of the Cathedral
Church, &c 61
1497-
-July
10,
10,
14,
14,
Oct.
20,
Nov.
17,
Dec.
25,
1498-
-Jan.
23,
March 26,
May
17,
Aug.
22,
22,
22,
Nov. 22,
...
22,
...
22,
1500-
—March 15,
April
8,
1501-
—April
15,
May
10,
10,
10,
July
24,
Aug.
23,
23,
Nov.
5,
1503-
-June
4,
Oct.
27,
Dec
23,
1504— Jan.
13,
...
13,
April
15,
Oct.
11,
1505 — June
14,
Sept.
9,
Nov.
17,
CONTENTS. ' xlix
PAGE
The inhabitants to assist in preparing the sand ness 62
Certain landmen to be brought in 62
The watch to be warned nightly 62
Ordinance anent a watch for the safety of the town 63
Propine to the king, Lord Huntly, and Lord Oliphant 64
Ordinance anent the king's residence in the burgh 64
The king's discharge of admiralty on the ship Mare Bartane 65
Payments to St. Clement's Chapel by the fishers of Futy 66
Money lent for defending a common action 66
Statutes anent the plague ratified 66
Messengers sent to the Archduke of Austria 67
Statute restricting the number of sailors 67
None to be employed in merchandise and a trade at the same
time 67
Payment to the chaplains for their service in the " queir and kirk
of Aberdeen" 68
Mathew Wricht binds himself to the building of the queir 68
Nichol Mason and David Wricht oblige themselves to. remain at
St. Nicholas work 68
Sir John Kutherford goes to Berwick to bring home St. Nicholas'
lead 68
Contributions for buying lead to the church 69
Importers of salt to pay certain dues to St. Nicholas work 70
The stairs to be hung with " arras" at receiving the queen 70
No swyne to go at large during the queen's visit 70
Evergreens to be paid for 70
[The above three entries on 10th May, 1501, should be under the year 1511.]
The common minstrels to receive£lO 70
A tax to be levied on occasion oi the king's marriage 7 J
Provision for the expenses of those who passed to the king's
marriage 71
Grassums on certain tacks to be given to St. Nicholas work 72
Grant of the handbell 72
Statute anent the sacristan's dues 72
Gift of St.Duthac's altar 72
Silver put in the town's arms given to the minstrels who went to
the king's marriage , 73
Process for recovering of property belonging to the Carmelites 73
Process for recovering two ground annuals due to the Carmelites... 74
Propine to be given to the king 74
A songster feed for the Church 75
Gift of St. Clement's Chapel 75
Keeper of the jewels and ornaments of the kirk appointed 75
1505— Nov.
24,
1506— Oct.
5,
1507— Jan.
10,
March 13,
April
7,
Oct.
8,
Dec.
26.
1508— Dec.
30,
1509— June
28,
Aug.
29,
1510— June
7,
1511— April
30,
Mav
4,
'...
4,
1512— Jan,
4,
Feb.
26,
June
18,
1513— Feb.
H,
March 1,
17,
1513— Aug.
2,
Nov.
13,
Dec.
30,
...
30,
...
30,
...
30,
30,
1514— Jan.
12,
April
24,
24,
24,
24,
24,
...
24,
24,
...
2*,
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Philip Belman fined for selling an apple too dear 75
Orassums of fishings and lands given for buying lead for St. Ni-
cholas' Church 76
Process for recovery of an annual rent belonging to the Carmelites, 76
Propine to be given to the king 76
Statute anent cleaning the common loch 76
Anent mending the steeple of the tolbooth 77
Thirty -four stalls in the choir of St. Nicholas to be completed 77
Grant of salmon and money to buy lead for St. Nicholas' Church, 78
A master of the grammar school appointed 80
Propine to be made to the king 80
Sir John Trourabull, songster, engaged for the Church 80
Anent cleaning the town before the queen's coming to the burgh 81
The queen to be received as honourably as by any burgh in Scot-
land, except Edinburgh 81
All myddings to be cleaned 82
Walkers not to hang clothes on the kirk walls, &c 82
Philip Clerk, belman, fined for a false proclamation 82
The town to be fortified against " our auld ennemeys of Ingland," 83
Persons who paid money to the king 83
Gift to assist in buying artillery 84
A tax for paying the gunner, &c 84
A tax of £400, to furnish men and horses for Flodden 85
Salmon and money due to St. Nicholas 85
Statut anent affrays through "fyr or uthir accident" 87
Only 9 persons allowed to sail in 3 ships 87
Statute for resisting of " our aid enemyis of Ingland" 87
All out burgesses required to make personal residence within
burgh 87
Every freeman to be well armed 87
Sir John Murray engaged as sangster in the church 88
Statutes for reformation of certain things in mother kirk, and for
keeping the town from the plague 88
A tax for buying books and ornaments to the church 89
No burgess to be admitted, without a payment to the repairing of
St. Nicoles kirk and queir 89
No unfreeman to be licenced to sail without a payment to St.
Nicholas work 89
No one to receive strangers without a licence from the provost
or bailies 90
Only three ports to be kept open 90
The bailies to procure lists of those who receive suspected persons, 90
Common Yennells to be shut up 91
1514— April 24,
May 12,
May 12,
June 16,
16,
1513— Sept. 17,
... 26,
Oct. 19,
1518-
-March 18,
Oct. 8,
1519-
-Jan. 11,
1520-
-Oct. 20,
1521-
-Jan. 13,
March 24,
1322-
Sept. 7,
-April 13,
... 28,
... 28,
May, 26,
... 27,
June 20,
July 7,
... 10,
... 10,
... 10,
... 10,
1322-
-Aug. 16,
Sept. 15,
... 19,
1323-
—Jan. 15,
April 17,
Oct. 31,
Nov. 27,
1524-
-March 19,
April 4,
4,
... 20,
CONTENTS. li
PAGE
Four persons to watch beyond the water 91
The town to be watched 91
Masters of artillery chosen 92
The tax for building the blockhouse to be paid 92
Sufficient trenches to be made 93
Nine persons chosen to pass to the duke's [of Albany] service 93
Penance on Cristall and Paull, Densmen, for breaking of the
tOMm's guns, &c 93
Part of the tax for the spears who passed to the borders assigned
to the building of the " peir and key" 93
Tax for upholding the parish church 94
Sir John Cuming, chorister and player on the organ, his fee 95
Gift of a piece of land for the " puir ladiis" 96
Statute anent tax for St. NichoLis work ratified 96
The master of the Grammar School " ranuersis his compulsatour
of the court of Rome" 97
A gunnar hired 98
No mussels beside the Cuningar hiUs to be gathered 98
A council chosen to assist the provost for the defence of the town, 98
Carts furnished for the artillery 99
Those absent from the wappinschaw fined 99
Arrest of a ship's cargo 100
Tack of half netts fisching of the fuirds on Dee, for a sum of mo-
ney to assist in building the blockhouse 100
John Tullideff fined for strubling the watch 101
A tent to be made during the war 101
The Forbesses take Thomas Chalmer, a burgess, captive 102
None of them to get meat or drink in the town 192
John of Rutherford loses his freedom of the burgh 103
All craftsmen to have their weapons ready 103
Tax to be raised for licence to the toun to remain from the host
at Roslin Muir 104
The common minstrels to receive their usual fees 105
Anent the " sentrice to the brig" 105
A piece of artillery of brass to be bought for the town 106
The Bastale to be repaired 106
" Carris" and horses to be furnished to the king 106
The master of the Grammar School confesses that he held the
school of the town 107
The kirk to be " reconseilit" 107
Tax to pay lord Erskine's "pentioun," &c 108
The provost's expenses for going to Edinburgh 108
Letters by the justiciar for holding a court. — 6 or 4 men to be
summoned from every parish 108
lii
1524— May
13,
OcU
24,
1523— June
20,
July
21,
Aug.
14,
Oct.
2,
...
6,
...
6,
1526— March 21,
April
16,
1527— Jan.
13,
...
13,
Feb.
12,
April
1,
...
20,
May
8,
Jane
3,
...
3,
Oct.
11,
...
13,
Dec.
21,
...
21,
1528— Feb.
12,
June
6,
Aug.
3,
Sept.
5,
...
9,
1529— Jan.
10,
May
7,
June
7,
July
20,
...
20,
27,
...
27,
...
27,
...
27,
Oct.
27,
Dec 10,
CONTENTS.
PAGE
All unlawful neighbours to be removed from the town 109
Pynouris to clean the king's " get" 109
The Castlehill to be levelled and dyked 110
Statute anent strangers ratified 110
Letters from the king against " that heretick, Luthyr, and his
bukis," 110
Act of Parliament against Luther Ill
Leslie of Wardes and others attack the town Ill
Ports and vennells to be built up, &c 112
Account of St. Nicholas work. 114
The town to be watched, &c 114
Propine to be made to the king on his first visit to the town 114
No lodgings to be let till the king comes 115
The town to be decored 115
Leslie of Balquhane and Wardes bind themselves and kin not to
molest the town 1 15
The bishop " thankit gretly" for building the bridge of Dee 116
The lord of Bonaccord and his fellow to gotten merks 116
Charge against Eken Jaks, "maister of the Egiptiens" 117
Answer of the town to the bishop anent the bridge of Dee 117
The town consents to indenture with the bishop for maintaining
the bridge of Dee 118
Contribution for buying vessels and ornaments for the parish kirk, 119
The Grammar School decayed 120
Two tuns of wine for the king 120
Lord Forbes to get his tun of wine 120
No craftsmen to go on the gait afLer ten hours without lawful busi-
ness 120
No butter, &c, to be bought in the market before 11 o'clock 120
Fee to the abbots out of reason 121
Propine to Maister Hector Boyis 121
Fee from the fishers to their chaplain 121
Pension to Mr. John Bisset for the " weill of the Grammar Skuill," 121
Fee to the master of the Grammar School 122
The landward men complain of the belman 122
The town to be walled 123
The bounds of the town examined 123
No stranger to be lodged 124
No ontf to enter the town but at the Ports 124
Those who break the statutes to be burned on the cheek 124
Every person to find a man to labour at the "fowsseis" 125
Bridge of Dee to be watched in time of plague 125
Obligation given to the bishop for upholding the Bridge of Dee... 126
1529-
-Dec.
17,
1530-
—Jan.
9,
12,
Feb.
28,
March 13,
...
13,
July
27,
29,
31,
Aug.
Sept.
12,
29,
6,
...
6,
9,
Nov.
14,
28,
Dec.
19,
19,
1531— April
16,
16,
May
17,
Aug.
*,
Oct.
13,
...
13,
13,
1532— Jan.
13,
13,
17,
21,
Feb.
7,
20,
...
20,
CONTENTS. liii
PAGE
Delivery of the Bridge of Dee by the parson of Kinkell to the
town 127
Chapel of Bridge of Dee 129
Agoif made on the "towne side" 129
Protest on the part of the laird of Abergeldy 129
Commissioners to the parliament 129
Laird of Abergeldy to be pursued for hewing the bulwark of the
Bridge of Dee 129
Statutes for avoiding the pestilence now raging 130
The town's artillery to be ready 131
Forbes of Brux and others to be pursued for invading the town... 131
Anent the invasion of the Forbesses 132
John Senzour put in the slocks for refusing to watch the town 133
Gilbert Menzies and others acquitted of convocating the lieges
and attacking the Forbesses 135
6, The town charged to observe the statutes for watching the
town, &c 136
No pension to be given to Lord Forbes in time coming 136
Complaint by the vicar of Nig 136
John Anderson fined for having his " bonat on his heid in the
wedding kirk dur" 137
The band devised by the king to be procured 137
King's letters for exacting security from the Forbeses and their
" complices" 137
Lord Forbes gives in his band 139
Anent lords of Bonaccord — King's letters that none should refuse
any office of honour conferred on them by the community 140
Anent election of lords of Bonaccord 141
Mason for the Bridge of Dee and chapel thereof. 141
The frame of the bridge to be amended 142
Statutes for "the reuill of the kirk ;" anent the curate 142
Anent the sacristan 143
No horses, cows, sheep, swine, or other beasts to be admitted to
the churchyard 143
All the singers in the choir discharged for their demerits, except
one, " ane aid seruand to the tovnn" 143
Committee for defence of the town 143
The artillery to be vesit 144
A tax for convoying artillery against " our auld ennimies of
England" 144
St. Nicholas' debts assigned for assisting to defend the town 145
A blockhouse to be built 145
Contract for building a blockhouse 146
liv
1532-
-March 18,
April
7,
Sept.
30,
Oct.
21,
1533— April
4,
24,
May
3,
26,
Oct.
11,
Dec.
13,
1335-
—Jan.
10,
April
30,
1337-
—July
23,
July
23,
Oct.
12,
13,
1538-
—Jan.
17,
17,
Feb. 7,
13,
...
14,
...
25,
25,
25,
May
21,
25,
Oct.
4,
16,
Nov.
8,
Dec.
•i,
1339— Marcl
I 9,
...
12,
April,
4,
...
18,
...
18,
...
28,
CONTENTS.
PAO E
Half of the mails, except the King's mails, to be taken for building
the blockhouse, &c 146
Two barrels of powder to be bought, "quhateuer it cost" 147
The king's letters for holding a wappingschaw 147
No feal or divot to be taken from the Links, &c 147
A keeper of the tolbooth clock 147
Tacks to be let for the defence of the town 148
Andro Lame to get meat for his service in the choir 148
Pundler of the kirkyard 149
Lords of Bonaccord to get ten merks for their fee 149
Payments to the church at " Yuill" 149
The tolbooth clock to be sent to Flanders, &c 149
All men -to obey and decore the lords of Bonaccord 150
The town's clock to be put up on the tolbooth 150
The clock brought from Flanders to be sold 150
Those who are to pass with St. Nicholas braid 131
Friar Alexander Lindsay to get 3 merks for completing the clock, 131
Mr. Hew Munro chosen master of the Grammar School 151
The chancellor of Aberdeen claims the right of presentation of the
master of the Grammar School 131
Answer to the king's request for a tack of the lands of Ardlair to
Patrick Forbes 132
The provost to go to Edinburgh, and defend the Town to the king
and lords, against a slander raised against it 1 33
Penance on Thorn Davidson 154
No ashes to be laid on the streets within the ports, and " myd-
dings" on the streets to be removed 154
Wapinschaw on the Links 134
Penance on Besse Dempster 133
Bobert and John Arthur fined for strubling the lords of Bon-
accord, &c 156
Penance on Robert and John Arthur 137
David Bruce to have five merks yearly for "temporing" the clock, 137
Certain " wyffis" fined for brewing ale, being unfreemens wives... 157
Mr. Alexander Spital, parson of Clatt, answers the charge on
Henry Levinstoun, &c., for strubling the watch 158
Alexander Moyer demands his wife's tocher 158
" Schelis" allowed to be built on the bank of the cruives 159
Penance on Margaret Porter 159
Petition of the lords of Bonaccord 160
The tacksmen of the town's mills to have the 24th peck of malt... 161
Complaint of John Davidson, indweller in Banff. 161
Gift of the altarage of St. Peter to the parson of Dunnotter 162
1539— May
19,
...
23,
June
2,
13,
...
23,
23,
July
4,
Sept.
15,
Oct.
10,
13,
1540— Jan.
14,
22,
28
Feb.
11,
...
21,
April
26.
...
27,
May
1,
...
1,
...
8,
14,
13,
...
16,
16,
17,
...
2,
...
30,
Aag.
19,
1541-
-Feb.
3,
17,
23,
March
7,
CONTENTS. Iv
PAGE
Ellen Banaldsone banished from the toune 163
Complaint on the fishers at Futy by the bischop's servants 163
A causeway maker to be hired to reform the streets of the burgh, 164
John Collison's fee for continual service in the parish church... 164
The greyfriars to get Andrew Cullen's bam 164
Fee assigned to the lords of Bonaccord 164
Payments for the horologe 165
Statutes for avoiding the pest, "callit the boiche" 165
The Earl of Bothwell to get part of the town's artillery in loan... 166
Strangers to be expelled from the town 166
The common minstrels to perform in the morning and evening... 166
Trial of Erie George, " callit of Egipt," and his accomplices 167
George and John Faw convicted of the " blud drawing" of Sande
Barrowne .„ 168
The safety of the Bridge of Dee to be provided for 168
George Faw, his brother, and their company, ordained to leave the
town 168
An annual rent to the chaplain of St. Katherine's altar 169
A ship of war to be furnished 169
Commissioners to prepare the ship to be sent to the king's grace, 169
None of the inhabitants to dispose of anything which might be re-
quired for the ship of war 170
A general tax of the burgh for the ship of war 170
James Gordon ordained to repay to Robert Logy certain sums of
money 171
Auditors of the tax for the ship of war 171
Persons to pass in the ship of war to the king 172
The persons passing in the ship to be paid according to their
quality 172
Bill anent the summoning of Alexander Kutherford and his bairns, 172
Those who have not paid the tax for the ship of war to be
poinded 173
7, As much to be given for the hire of the ship passing to the king's
service as the town of Dundee pays for their ship 173
King's letter in favour of the skipper of the Nicolas of Aberdeen, 173
The provost to pass to the king for a discharge to the town for the
slaughter of Bruce 174
Robert Wischert hired to mend all the holes of the kirk windows, 174
Complaint of Alexander Melvin, burgess, on his servant 174
List of heirship goods claimed by the heir of a burgess 175
Licence to build the altar of St. John, the Baptist 176
The building of the vennel that goes to St. Katherine's Hill to be
stopped 176
H
Ivi
1541-
-March 7,
April
17,
May
2,
6,
25.
June
17,
Oct.
3,
Nov.
21,
1542-
—April
17,
24,
24,
June
5,
Aug.
27,
Sept.
11,
22,
Oct.
6,
17,
22,
Nov.
10,
13,
27,
1543— Jan.
9,
Feb.
8,
March 24,
May
13,
Jnne
11,
11,
...
22,
Aug.
20,
30,
...
30,
Oct.
19,
...
19,
Not.
9,
1544— Jan.
19,
CONTENTS.
PAGE
A wooden bridge to be built over the Pot-bume 177
Fee to the lords of Bonaccord 177
Certain inhabitants to be poinded for the fees of the common
minstrels 177
Money for clothes to tviro of those in " the song senilis and queir"... 177
Anent the bear bought for the common weal of the town 177
Agreement between the bishop and the white fishers of Futy 178
Commissioners for decoring the town before the queen's coming... 179
Anent St. Ninian's Chapel 180
Fee to the lords of Bonaccord 180
Anent upholding the windows of the parish kirk 180
Wife of Alexander Kain accused for the heavy strublance of the
lords of Bonaccord 180
Action at the instance of Sir John Cuming anent a vennell lead-
ing to St. Katherine's Chapel 181
Inhabitants charged to make actual residence within the burgh... 183
The king's precept for a tax for defence of the realm 183
Provision for defence of the burgh from the " Inglismen, our aid
innemeis" , 184
A " commound hailis" to be built in the *' Kattoun Raw" 184
Masters of artillery chosen, &c 185
Anent the hundred persons chosen by the Provost to pass to the
borders 185
Payments for the artillery 185
All maills and profits, except the king's fees, to be uplifted for
furnishing the artillery 185
Payments to master of the grammar school from those who re-
ceived him and the bishop at St. Nicholas day 186
Claim for restitution of certain specified goods 186
Mr. David Nicholson to restore certain articles 187
Charge against the bailies for serving Robert Nicholson, heir to
his father 188
Provision to two friars at the governor's request 189
A propine to the governor Arran on his first visit to the town 189
Gift of the chaplainry of the Haly Ruid 189
Wm. Matheson, fisher, convicted of strubling John Valcar 190
Answer by the town to a letter from the earl of Huntly 190
The town agrees to support the authority of the governor 191
A nightly watch to be had "becaus of the brokining" 191
Murmurs of the landmen against the victual buyers and belman... 191
All the ports to be built 192
The pynours to clean " al the calsais" 192
The queen's letters for a tax 192
1544 -Jan.
19,
...
26,
...
26,
Feb.
1,
...
1,
...
3,
...
20,
April
1.
, .
30,
May
2,
...
11,
...
11,
11.
11,
...
13,
26,
July
8,
14,
...
18,
...
19,
Sept.
1,
...
1,
...
5,
...
12,
...
18,
Oct
6,
...
10,
...
14,
...
14,
...
21,
...
21,
...
31,
Dec.
1,
...
12,
...
20,
1545— Jan.
1,
14,
28,
...
28,
Feb.
11,
CONTENTS. Ivii
PAGE
Complaint of Catherine Melwin 193
The queen's letters for a tax 193
Two writings from the earl of Huntly, lieutenant-general of the
North, 194
Artillery given in loan to the Earl of Huntly 195
Securities for the freight of a ship to the north parts 195
Protest of Alexander Kattray 195
The queen's letters for a tax again read 196
A gunner hired for defence of the town 197
Ordinance for defence of the town from the Englishmen 197
Penance on Mage Durtty 198
The provost to ride to Dundee for consultation 199
The town's charter chest to be kept "in secreit maner" 199
Iron to be sought for 199
Another gunner hired 199
Besignation of the " Halydais Fische" 199
Letter from the Earl of Huntly to the town 200
Answer therto 201
All tacksmen and brethren of gild to come to the town 202
Ten merks yearly to the master of the grammar school 202
Procuratory from the abbot and convent of Deer 203
Letters for a tax 204
Testimonial to the captain of a warship of Dundee 205
Goods in a ship taken as a prize 205
Penance on the persons who injured the black friars 206
Complaint of Snawdoune herald 206
Sir John Fethy feed to be one of the prebendaries of the choir 207
Process at the instance of the chaplains of the choir 207
Former statutes ratified 207
Discharge by two "Britoneris" to the earl of Huntly 208
Receipt for wool by the Britoners 209
Act anent "caik baxters" 209
Charge anent the price of ale 210
Commissioners to be sent to Parliament 210
Persons guilty of " hinging of the image of St. Francis" 211
Penance on Symsoun Terwes, &c 212
The earl of Huntly is requested to become a freeman of the burgh, 212
Complaint of Mr. Edward Menzeis' chaplain 213
The earl of Huntly is chosen provost, on the renunciation of
Menzeis of Pitfoddels 214
Tax for 50 men to pass against the Islesmen 215
Protest of Alexander llatray, skipper 215
Letters for a tax 215
Iviii
15+5— March 19,
19,
•29,
29,
April
4,
8,
13,
...
19,
May
12,
June
15,
July
24,
27,
Aug,
6,
Sept.
10,
...
11,
...
16,
Nov.
2,
...
2,
1546— Feb.
19,
Marcl
» 7,
19,
21,
21,
25,
April 12,
... 18,
... 19,
May 9,
9,
... 18,
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Walter Lesly elected belman 216
He is ordained to clean the market and causeway about the cross, 216
Consent of the earl of Huntly to his election 217
Unlaw remitted at the earl of Huntly's request 217
John Kilstaris, singer, to pass to the college of Old Aberdeen to
study letters 218
A chalice to be delivered to the white friars by Walter Hay 218
Sande Kemp, baker, convicted of breaking the statutes 219
Money for the tax to be raised 219
Alexander Ratray, gunner, to continue in the town's service 220
John Tulidef convicted for strutting his brother minstrels 220
All ships coming to the town with goods to sell, to be bought by
the provost and bailies for the time, &c 220
Fee to the lords of Bonaccord 221
A nightly watch hired, &c 221
Silver gudis for the queen and governor 222
For evading the pest 222
Anent the ransom of an English prisoner 223
Ditto ditto 224
The bridge of Dee to be kept 224
AH freemen to return to the town 224
Anent the claim of the black friars for exemption from multures, 225
Attestation by the bailies of the decision of a question, regarding
a vessel of Dieppe, taken by the English, and retaken by a
burgess of Aberdeen 225
Maister Jeromo Chene and James Chene accused of strubling the
town and blood drawing — they plead their orders as clerks
against the bailies' jurisdiction 228
Convicted of deforcement and contempt 229
The matter is submitted to arbitration 229
The arbiters to meet in the Greyfriars 230
Alexr. Scottis house to be " clengit" — some women to be put to
the Links, and others shut up 231
Yeris pension to the master of the grammar school 231
Every freeman to receive him and the bishop at St. Nicholas
mass, &c 231
All inhabitants to return to the town 232
The charge of taking two English prizes discharged 232
Anent the price of wheat 232
Tax for furnishing of the ambassador that passes to the Emperor
in Flanders 233
List of goods claimed by Gilbert Mar 234
The beggars to be " visied," and get the town's token — those who
are not native, to leave the town 234
CONTENTS. lix
PAGE
All to come to the vicar at Pasche and pay their dues 235
List of goods and their prices claimed by Thomas Philipson 235
Ane budget of black leather and its contents 238
Earl of Huntly's commission to David Anderson 239
Disputes as to the management of the song school 239
Debtors to the bridge of Dee to make payment, &c 240
Statutes for evadingthe pest 240
A plumber to be got from St. Andrews 241
Statute against attacking any ships without license of the bailies, 241
Statutes anent watching the town 242
Tax for licence to the town to remain from the siege of St.
Andrews 243
No boats from the south to be admitted 244
St. Nicholas braid silver given to those infected with the pest 244
Payment of the last tax to be made, &c 245
The queen's discharge of the tax 245
A person who broke the statutes anent the pest to be burned on
the left hand, &c 246
Lord Forbes to get a tun of wine yearly 246
License to remain from the host at Peebles 247
The vestments and ornaments of St. Michael's altar to be inspected, 248
Ordinance against breaking the windows of the kirk 249
The blackfriars' claim of exemption from payment of multures tried 249
Tax for license for remaining from the raid at Langhope 251
Powder and bullets in the French ship to be used in defence of the
town 252
Two of the bailies allowed to remain from the host of Falamuir... 252
Certain citizens allowed to remain at home from Falamuir 253
The Laird of Drum's Falcon, &c 253
Two barrels of powder to be bought for defence of the town, &c... 254
The feallis in the choir discharged 2.54
Letters to be sent to the queen and governor. Powder to be bor-
rowed from the governor. The inhabitants of the shire to be
charged to come to the town for its defence. The town's tacks
to be prolonged. All freemen to make residence in the town.. 254
1548 — April 9, Gilbert Menzies to be keeper of the blockhouse 256
13, No freeman to sail out of the town to other parts. No one to give
licence of absence except the provost, &c 256
16, Two gunners hired 257
16, The Dutchman to get 40s. to buy a garment to him 257
20, Fee to the lords of Bonaccord 258
May 18, The men of war to be paid 258
22, A person convicted of spoiling the clock and raising an insurrec-
tion, &c 258
546— May
21,
June
1,
7,
...
25,
July
13,
19,
Aug.
6,
27,
Sept.
13,
13,
Oct.
2
8,
11,
25,
25,
Dec.
17,
547— Feb.
3,
April
13,
18,
18,
30,
Julv
1,
Aug.
22,
29,
...
31,
Sept.
0,
Oct.
7,
8,
Dec.
20,
Ix
CONTENTS.
1548— May
28,
June
15,
...
17,
23,
Aug.
13,
...
22,
Oct
15,
1349— Jan.
2,
17.
17,
17,
17,
20,
24,
27.
April
5,
...
5,
...
30,
...
30,
...
30,
June,
17,
...
21,
Aug.
9,
Oct.
4,
...
4,
...
7,
...
8,
...
14,
...
17,
17,
Nov.
4,
...
15,
Dec.
16,
1550— April
14,
18,
...
18,
Aug.
8,
...
8,
List of goods, with their prices 258
Vageouris engagement renewed 260
Tax laid on the town for defence of the same from " our auld ene-
mies" 261
Certain persons permitted to eailin the Danskein 261
Licence to remain from the host at Qladsmuir, 262
Tax for said licence 262
Propine to Robert Camegy, &c 263
The Queen's letters for 100 pioneers 263
The office of the handbell let 263
Anent landward people selling goods in the town 264
Anentthe Fleming ship 264
Claim of the Black Friars for an annual rent 265
The gunners to be paid.... 265
A person convicted for attacking the doctor of the grammar
school in St. Nicholas Kirk 265
Tax for 80 pioneers to pass to Brughty Craig — Propine to the
Governor at his first coming to the town 266
Anent the prices of wheat 266
Anent curing of salmon 267
Inhabitants to have their weapons ready 267
All freemen to return to the town, &c 268
A watch ordered 268
Master of the town's artillery chosen 269
A hundred men of war to be hired by the provost 260
Anent the price of bread, &c 269
Anent measuring of goods with the town's measure 270
The gunner's wages to be paid 273
Some Hamburgh men convicted of assault 270
Penance on Thomas White 271
Dispensation in favour of Thomas Nicholson of his minority 272
Statutes anent the pest — All swine to be removed — The poor to
remain at the kirk door 273
Anent the fredome lands 274
License to Hew Monro to pass to his lodging, &c 275
Complaint of David Low 275
Baxters convicted for selling bread below the statute price 276
Resignation of the master of the grammar school 276
Mr. James Chalmers elected master of the grammar school 277
All the town's chaplains to produce their vestments, &c 277
Commissioners to attend a meeting of the burghs 277
Resignation by the bellman, he getting the altar of St. John the
Evangelist, &c 277
CONTENTS.
Ixi
1350-
-Sept.
5,
Oct.
10,
10,
10,
Nov.
24,
1352-
—April
14,
May
27,
1554— March 24,
24,
June
18,
1555-
-Feb.
24,
March 23,
April
10,
May
10,
20,
•20,
June
14,
30,
July
8,
Aug.
12,
12,
26,
Sept.
3,
3,
Oct.
4,
4,
4,
4,
4,
,*'
4,
4,
4,
14.
25,
Tax for the ambassadors to the emperor, for treating of peace with
him 278
Ten merks yearly to the master of the grammar school 278
Every person to pass with St. Nicholas braid 279
Anent the price of ale 279
The governor to receive a propine at his first visit to the town 279
Eestrictions as to the banquetings of the lords of Bonaccord 279
Grant to the lords of Bonaccord 280
Charge to apprehend John Chalmer 280
Protest against his being taken 281
Anent the repairing of the tol booth 281
Penance on John Sanders and his wife — to pay the " harbour" for
mending wounds 282
Security demanded from seller of a horse 282
Anent the ransome of Andrew Buk 283
Process at the instance of the Carmelites 284
Commissioners elected to the parliament. — Ratification of the old
infeftments to be procured. — If necessary, a decent propine to
be given to the queen 284
Payment of the commissioners expenses 285
Penance on Janet Portar 283
The commissioners to parliament remit farther payment of their
expenses for forty pounds 28G
Anent the fishing of the cruives 286
Bakers convicted of breach of statutes 287
Ordinance anent the bakers 287
Penance on Alexander Keid younger 288
Anent a silver chalice belonging to the Trinity friars 288
Procurator for the Trinity friars 289
Sir Robert Bynne, chaplain and singer, to have his old fee, altho'
now blind 289
Statute anent the price of shoes 290
No cairns of stones to be on the streets 290
Every craft to have a visiter 290
No baker to buy wheat " attour his nychtbouris heyd" 290
No tailor to sell cloth except " maid breikis and boxis of tar-
tane," &c 290
Certain burgesses lose their freedom for dwelling out of burgh... 290
Fee to a singer in the choir 291
Alexander Rattray discharges his claim for going with the king
to the Isles.... 291
Anent the great iron kirk style 292
Anent the process for reduction of the town's feus 292
Ixii
1355-
-Nov. 6,
Dec. 13,
... 16,
1556-
-Jan. 2,
... 27.
... 27,
March 27,
,
April 26,
May 5,
5,
9,
... 29,
... 30,
July 17,
... 18,
Aug. 7,
Sept. 20,
Oct. 19,
Nov.
16,
23,
1557— Jan.
2,
Feb.
14,
May
21,
July
16,
Nov.
5,
5,
...
23,
...
28,
■Jan.
9,
26,
May
July
Sept.
Oct
13,
1,
6,
1,
...
3,
CONTENTS.
PAnE
John Chalmers convicted of defaming one of the bailies 292
The chaplain of St. John's altar to exhibit his chalices 293
Commissioners to a convention of burghs 293
A bridge to be built on the Denbum 294
Anent the fishings on Dee and Don 294
Complaint of the poor inhabitants against the feuars 295
A horse's back broken at Tullydrone Hill 296
Annual rent to the chaplain of the fiude altar 296
Tax paid 296
Commission to Admiral Depute 297
Discharges of tax paid by the town 297
Propine of wine, &c., to the queen regent 298
A taxation to be made for the propine 298
Anent St. Nicholas mett 299
A ship called " Ly by the Fyii-" 299
Propine to the queen, Monsieur D'Oysel, and the justice clerk, &c. 300
Traders from France and Flanders not to retail their goods, but
sell them in bulk, &c 300
A composition paid by the town for " small oppressions and licht
ofiences" 300
A vacancy in the choir filled up 301
Anent mode of proof. 301
A process anent the fishings 302
The town is infeft in a free market to enduro for 15 days 303
The queen to be apprised of the town's poverty, and a remission of
part of the last tax to be procured if possible 303
Question anent the retaining of two ships of Whitby 304
Mr. James Chalmers discharged of his place in the choir, he being
made a regent in the New College of Old Aberdeen 306
Four hundred merks to be applied in purchasing powder, &c, for
defence of the town. — The council swear not to use the money
for any other purpose 306
Commissioners to parliament chosen.. 306
The town of Dundee not to bring merchandise here on St. Ni-
cholas' day 307
The Earl of Huntly requests the lands of Ardlair for William
Lesly, son to the laird of Balquhaine. — The community refuse, 307
Anent the tax imposed by the queen 308
" Strublenb" of an indweller of Monymusk 309
Anent a passage to St. Katherine's chapel 309
Obligation by certain inhabitants of Flushing... 310
Ten pounds to one of the bailies for riding to Edinburgh 311
Inhibition against choosing Mr. George Middelton as a bailie 311
1558— Oct. 7,
8,
1559~Jan. 4,
8,
8,
...
8,
12,
...
12,
...
12,
...
13,
...
13,
...
19,
...
23,
...
23,
March 8,
11,
11,
...
11,
June
16,
July
3,
Aug.
18,
- Oct.
30,
Nov.
22,
Dec.
29,
1560— March 21,
April
3,
...
7,
June
21,
Sept.
30,
Dec.
6,
...
7,
1561— Jan.
6,
6,
CONTENTS. Ixiii
PAGB
Grant of twenty-two merks yearly to the master of the song school, 313
Richard Keid elected to a stall in the choir, &c. SI*
Spulzeing of the places of the black and white friars 315
The treasurer to intromit with the friars crofts and houses 316
Protest by the provost and others against the destruction of the
friars' houses 316
Counter protest by the bailies 316
The silver work of the parish kirk to be exhibited 317
The silver work to be delivered to the town 317
Protestation by the provost against the destruction of the religious
houses and the employment of preachers 318
Adherents to the provost's protest, &c. 319
Keepers of the silver work and ornaments of the kirk 319
List of the chalices, vestments, and ornaments of St. Nicholas
church 320
Annual rents due to our lady altar to be poinded for 321
The blockhouse to be made patent 321
The Greyfriars place to be upheld and maintained 321
St. Clement's chapel granted to Patrick Menzes 322
The town agrees to support the congregation 322
Protest of Gilbert CoUison against said support 322
Approval of the former acts about the friars' houses and crofts, &c. 322
Supplication by the chaplains of St. Nicholas church, &c 323
Master of the grammar school admitted to St. Michael's altar 324
Decree for payment to the chaplains of St. Nicholas 325
The chaplains' supplication for entry to the kirk and choir, that
they may perform divine service 325
The Kirk windows and lead thatch to be repaired, &c 325
Protestation of the Provost against throwing down Religious
houses and kirks under pretence of reformation. — Adherents to
his protestation 325
Augmentation of the pension of the master of the Grammar
School 326
No shops to be built on the "forgetts" 327
Anent keeping the " knok" 327
Complaint against John Forbes of Barns 327
Oath to betaken by the Provost 328
No Market to be held on St. Nicholas day, &c 328
The chandleris which were on the " lang herse," in the choir of
St. Nicholas, and other ornaments 328
Sale of silver work and ornaments of the kirk 329
Dissent against the said sale 329
I
Ixiv
1561— Jan. 13,
March 16,
... 16,
... 18,
April 18,
... 18,
May 3,
Oct. 10,
... 10,
... 11,
...
13,
...
22,
...
27,
Not.
10,
...
14,
...
18,
Dec.
8,
1362— Jan.
12,
20,
April
6,
May
*,
8,
Jane
16,
July
24,
Aug.
17,
...
26,
Sept.
2,
...
18,
...
18,
Oct.
17,
...
19,
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Anent ships bought by the provost and bailies on behalf of the
town 329
Silver work and ornaments to be delivered by Sir Wm. Walcar, 330
Penance on Hector Dolloquhy 330
The silver work and ornaments delivered to the treasurer of the
town 331
The treasurer to uplift the rents of the friars crofts 331
Complaint of the skipper of the ship called " the John" against
the owners 331
Case between Thomas Christal and Joachin Kacho, 333
Erection for the sale of fish at the fish cross 334
Anent the complaints of the neighbours for buying ships, and
distributing the merchandise therein 334
Malt and meal coming to be sold in the town to be measured in
the greyfriars place, &c 335
List of heirship goods 336
John Myln, an unlawful neighbour and common resetter 337
Alexr. CuUan to keep half of the common seal 337
Middings not allowed on the streets 337
Robert J ak banished from the burgh as " ane briggan" 338
George Garden of Banchorie, cautioner for Peter Howatt, a sailor
in Brigacie 338
Marjory Rattrey acquitts George Scott in Auchery of promise of
marriage 339
The queen expected between this and Pasche. — Two thousand
merksto be given her in propine 339
Anent the Friars' crofts 340
Obligation in favour of Thomas Nicolsoun ratified 342
The belman accused for convening the community to pass to the
woods to bring in summer, upon the first Sunday of May. —
Penance therefor 343
The price of the silver work of the kirk to be applied to the build-
ing of the pier and keyhead 344
George Burnett agrees not to pursue a divorce against his wife... 345
John Chalmers accused of being an unlauchtful neighbour 346
Letters sent to the Earl of Mar, at Stirling 346
A deficiency of the sum required for decoration of town, and pro-
pine to the queen. — The money furnished by the provost 346
Visitor of salmond barrels appointed , 348
Certain burgesses declared to have lost their freedom 349
List of goods and their prices 349
Bomis at the west end of the Castlegate and ports 351
The minister's pension withdrawn 351
1562—
1563-
1564—
•Oct.
19,
19,
19,
25,
Nov.
25,
Dec.
4,
-Feb.
23,
Marcb
.,12,
...
15,
22,
...
22,
26,
April
15,
July
2,
5,
•Jan.
18,
May
5,
13,
1565-
-Jan.
23,
23,
March 2,
June
15,
Aug.
11,
11,
Oct.
5,
1566-
-Feb.
12,
April
16,
26,
Nov.
19,
1567-
—June
3,
4,
1568-
—Jan.
10,
24,
Feb.
10,
1569-
—Jan.
9,
CONTENTS, Ixv
PAGE
Watchman to have 5s. per night 351
Artillery broken in firing at the queen's entry to the burgh 351
Petition of William Crafurd for a " craym" , 352
Remission to Loke Traill for slaughter, &c 352
Penance on Margaret Forbes 352
Commissioners to carry the town's charters to Edinburgh to be
confirmed 353
Anent the guns broken at the queen's entry 353
The chaplains' rents to be paid , 354
Elizabeth Annand to pay the barber for healing her daughter's
eyes 354
No coals or lime to be brought for retailing at a profit 355
Certificate to a servant of Mr. Duncan Forbes of Monymusk
William Kennedy, son of the constable of Aberdeen, chooses cura-
tors 355
The inhabitants to buy meal and malt for their own use only, &c., 355
The reader of the common prayers to be paid 356
The sacristan to have 40s. for burying of poor folks 356
Action against Sir Alexander Eraser of Philorth, anent the privi-
lege of a free burgh usurped by him in the town of Faithlie —
action for abrogating a weekly Sunday market at the kirk of
Inch 356
Sacristan's dues 357
The keeper of the kirk's fee augmented 357
William Blak in Newburgh accused of being a forestaller 357
Anent provision to be made for the poor 358
Captain Hew Lauder's gift of the friars' crofts 358
Powder to be brought from Flanders, &c 360
Slates for repairing the chapel on the Castlehill 360
Powder to be got to mix with the town's powder 360
The ringer of the bells found an insufficient servant for certain
" enormities" done by him 360
All swine on the streets to be expelled or slain 361
A great " bowat" or lamp to be upheld on the Castlehill 361
Supplication of John Lesley, reader in the parish kirk 362
Patrick Rutherford resigns his right to the holy day's fish of St.
Nicholas mett 363
Anent the repairs of the parish kirk, which was partly ruinous.,.. 363
Taxation for repairing the kirk 364
Roup of the halydais fish 365
The tacksman to have the best fish next the teind fish, &c 365
Tax for repairing the church 365
The great bell Nicholas to be rung at four morning, and the Skel-
lat at eight evening 366
Ixvi
1569— Jan.
9,
Jane
9,
ISTO—Jan.
22,
22,
Oct.
6,
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Petition of the scholars of the Qrammar School as to their aold
privileges 366
The king's arms to be put on the tolbooth, and the arms on the
Gallowgate port to be renewed 366
Persons banished from the town 367
Persons who found surety 368
Teacher of the song school admitted 370
ADDITIONAL EXTRACTS.
1398— Feb.
1399—
May
9.
July
14,
17,
Aug.
4,
...
26,
Sept.
15,
Oct,
3,
...
3,
...
29,
29,
29,
Oct.
22,
Nov.
3,
- ...
14,
Dec.
1,
...
1,
1400— Feb.
9,
May
31,
Oct.
1,
1401— June
20,
Process anent a doublet and gown 371
Question as to the destruction of a piece of ground, &c 371
Question as to the falsifying of a verdict taken to the chamber-
lain ayre 372
Question as to the sasine on a ground annual carried to the cham-
berlain ayre 372
Three persons fined for buying fish in prejudice of the burgh, & c. 373
Question as to the occupation of a house 373
John Crab acknowledges his striking and cursing of Janet Nory, &c. 373
John Ayncroft admits his beating of the wife of Robert Colinson , . . 373
Question as to a horse bought by Henry of Lothian, and seized in
Kincardineshire 374
Rebellion against the Serjeants of the burgh 374
Election of alderman and bailies 374
Election of councillors and other officials of the burgh 374
Question as to a ground annual between John Crab and Simon
Lamb 375
The bailies secured against any question by the king regarding
salmon carried away by an English merchant 376
Question delayed from the weakness of the court 377
Agreement as to 12 doors and 12 windows for the town 377
Question as to breaking the peace of the burgh 377
Judgment against William Blyndcele for not compearing 377
Walter Kede to show that he had not injured the market by buying
bread, flour, or oats, higher than the neighbours offer, &c 378
Charge against Robert Gal dismissed 373
Question anent 48. 6d. due to the prior of the Carmelites 378
Question as to breaking the peace of the burgh 379
Elena Scotock banished by the verdict of an assise 379
William Walker of Hole to show that he had not procured lord-
ship against his neighbours 379
Question referred to an assise by the chamberlain depute 379
Ordinance as to price of iron, salt, &c 380
CONTENTS. Ixvii
PAGE
14!01--^ane 20, Letter from the council anent the arrestment of certain 'wine and
oxen arrested by Lord Keith 380
Statutes regulating the fines of court — for swearing or speaking
aloud in court without license — for forestalling, &c 380
20, Liberty to buy in Marr at any price 382
1402 — Head court postponed by reason of a general council at Perth —
court fenced in name of the Duke of Albany 382
List of forestallers in the county of Aberdeen 382
1405 — Question as to the validity of a deed alleged to have been granted
through force and fear 385
1407 — April 16, Disputes between the Lords Lindsay and Forbes — caution given
by both 386
1410 — June 17, Prices of wool in Buchan and Marr 386
141 1 — Oct. 1 1, Ordinance against any of the inhabitants procuring lordship against
their neighbours — ordinance against those who fail to apprise
the provost, &c. of those who are in want, and against those
who fail to attend the courts when summoned 387
Claim for a ground annual by Alexr. Irvyn of Drum, as curator to
to the son of William Crab 387
The wife of Simon Palframan fined for striking a woman, &c 388
1412 — Claim of John Wricht and Alexr. Barclay of Gartly for a ground
annual 388
July 23, Question at the instance of Bruce, the son of Duncan, and his
forspeakers, the Lord Gordon and John Inchemartyn, about a
pledge — the last pledge found to be good 388
All indwellers to stand guard with the alderman and bailies —
none to have lordship other than the King, the Duke of
Albany, and the Earl of Mar, except his alderman and bailies
— no strangers to be received but those whom they will stand
for 389
1433— Jan. 26, Question between William Sherar and Lankyn Wist as to the
price of a boat of Meluesye 389
March 1 6, Letter from the king superseding the taking down of John Black's
house , 390
1434_Feb. 3, Statutes passed by the chamberlain, alderman, and council, as to
the prices of ale, bread, flesh, and fish 390
April 4, Parties fined for leaving the court before it was finished. 391
1436—... 16, The booth of Stephen de Balrony broken into 391
Aug. 13, Court held for the quieting and punishing of robbers 392
Oct. 1, A head court, at which certain statutes passed in 1394 were read 392
31, A burgess of Kintore repledged by a bailie of that burgh 393
1437 — Statutes: — The letter of 1394 ratified — No alderman or bailie to
remain in office beyond one year.— No alderman to spend be-
IxTiii
1439— Dec 28,
1440— April, 24,
May, 13,
Sept. 13,
Oct. 17,
1441— Feb. 19,
Aug. 23,
1442— Marcb
I 18,
April
27,
June
23,
Dec.
10,
1443— Oct.
14,
1444— Jan.
11,
l^ov.
17,
20,
23,
1446— Feb.
21,
1448— ...
15,
l449_Nov.
7,
1453— Dec.
30.
1454— March 10,
1455— Jan.
16,
1456— Oct.
1,
1460— April
, 23,
1463— Feb.
6,
1469— Jan.
13,
CONTENTS.
PAGB
yond 20 s of the common good without consent of the council.
.^Commissioners to parliament and general councils to be
elected by tlie whole common council ef the burgh, and their
reasonable expenses paid 393
The Earl of Marr is made a burges 394
William of Cadiou tried for hurting Kobert of CuUace. The Earl
of Evandale and the constable of Aberdeen appear on the one
side, and Sir Alexander Irwync on the other 394
Allowance to the abbot of Bonacord for his expenses in the play
of the Haliblude at the Wyndmylhill 395
An entrant burgess gives 5 merks for the repair of the port on the
east end of Castle street 395
London merchants ask for a license to trade and safe conduct 396
At the request of the knight of Strathoune, the baDies delay an
action 396
Statutes : — No fish to be bought till it comes to the market. —
Profit allowed on a turbot. — No man to buy victual for retail-
ing again 396
The English ship to be retained 397
Price of wool and of skins 397
Obligation to Sir William Lesly of Balquhaine 397
Evidence anent the stealing of Alexander the Grahame's bedding, 398
Alexander Lammyntoun fined for selling flesh dearer than the
fixed price 398
Ordinance against William Quhite, for receiving players of un-
lawful games in his house 398
Letters of inhibition from the queen and the Bishop of St. An-
drews'presented to the alderman, &c 399
The letters not to be proclaimed nor obeyed 399
Letter from the king presented by the Bishop of Ross 399
£4 given to Andrew Croudane, a guild brother, for his labour re-
garding preaching and doctrine 399
Proceedings of a Chamberlayn Ayre 400
No merchant to open his booth on Sunday 402
Forestallers to be punished 402
Question before the lieutenant 403
Question between William the Haia and Theman Goldsmith 403
Propine of 100 merks to the king 404
Anent licence to William of Ryne, and others to pas " quhair
thai walde" 405
Wat. Cutlaris wife a " strawer" of her husband's goods 405
Anent the withholding of a farthing 405
Process for the sale of a gray horse 405
14.74— Jan. 13,
Feb. 17,
1475— May, 2,
1477— April 26,
1478— Aug, 25,
... 25,
Sept. 2,
1479— May 21,
1480— June 22,
July 19,
1481—
Nov. 7,
1483— Jan. 31,
Feb. 5,
March 15,
1484— Jan. 22,
Feb. 1,
Nov. 27,
... 27,
1487 — June 30,
1488— Nov. 14,
1489— March 16,
... 16,
1490— June 26,
Aug. 17,
1491-
— ...
17,
1492-
—Jan.
18,
Feb.
1,
March 22,
June
1,
17,
20,
CONTENTS. Ixix
PAGE
Question between William of Setonne and William of Cadiou... 406
The common and secret seals to be delivered to the alderman,... 407
Offerings on the Bude days to be divided between the chaplains
of the Brown croce altar and the Bude altar 407
List of heirship goods 408
Deed relating to the lands of Balkaime, produced by Seton of Mel-
drum and Duguid of Auchinhuif. 408
Lands, crofts, and annual rents resigned by delivery of a wand,... 409
Consent to an embassy to the Duke of Burgundy 41Q
Costs of the play on Corpus Christi day to be defrayed 410
David Hill accused of breaking a silver goblet belonging to the
Bector of Cruden 410
Case anent the hurting of a hired mare 411
Case between Lady Huntly and Andrew Winton 411
The bishop elect not to be supported for his unkindness 411
Will. Lachlane banished 412
Claim of the Countess of Huntly against David Hill, burgess .' 412
Beceipt of four pounds of black money 413
Bobert Buchan to make a new gown and doublet to himself when
he goes to Flanders, &c 413
Craftsmen to bear their tokens on their breasts on Candlemas day, 413
Case with the son of William Meldrum of Fivy, in which the bro-
ther of the Earl Marischal and Sibbald of Kair, are witnesses, 414
The constable of Aberdeen constitutes a depute by delivery of a
wand 414
Letter from the king anent the election of officers to the burgh ... 415
Penance on William Porter 415
Question anent a susplat of wool 416
Penance on William Belty 417
Those who walk in the night to do injury to any person, to pay five
merks to St. Nicholas work 417
The patronage of St Ninian's altar granted to William Meldrum
of Fyvy 418
Claim of the abbot of Bonaccord for his fee 418
The common minstrels to receive their diets, &c. through the town, 418
Fine for having pecks of small measure 419
Those who send away goods in ships to bring home something to
supply the town with merchandize 419
Penance on Bichard Wright 419
Question with the sailors of my Lord of Murray's ship 419
Brief of idiotry of Alexander Glaster 420
Anent the skaith done by John of Myll's *' skabbit" horse 420
Ixx
1492— ^July 12,
... 12,
Aug. 6,
Sept. 11,
Oct. 25,
Nov. 4,
1494— Oct. 9,
1495— Feb. 19,
Sept. 26,
1496— Jan. 23,
1497— April 21,
June 7,
Oct. 6,
1498 — June 22,
Aug. 19,
Oct. 15,
1500 — Jan. 28,
Aug. 21,
1501— March 23,
Dec. 3,
1502— Feb. 3,
June 17,
1533— May
17,
June
9,
Oct,
20,
...
20,
23,
1504— Nov.
14,
...
30,
CONTENTS.
PAOB
Anent payment of thirteen merks due to the king and other pen-
sions to the lords 420
The bailies discharged by the Lord Chancellor from uplifting the
rents of the burgh 421
Tax for sending persons to assist in besieging the strengths of the
isles 421
John Butherfurd resigns the office of provost into the hands of the
lord chancellor, and Alexander Beid elected 421
Penance on Philp Quhithede 421
Debt of the town for spice, wax, and wine, given to the king^s
propine 422
A penny from each fire house, &c., for cleaning the streets 422
Process between Alexander, Lord Gordon, and George Eduardson. 422
Complaint of Sir Alexr. Gray, chaplain of St. Crispin and Cris-
pinian's altar 424
Every craft to have its standard 425
" Licht women to desist from the sin of venerie" 425
Fines for forestalling 425
No meal buyers to come to the market this year 425
Dues of pynours and carriers of goods 426
Letters from the king allowing a ship with St. Nicholas goods to
sail to Campvere 426
Belman to pass through the town to name and pray for the souls
given him in bill 427
The minstrels to have reasonable diets 427
Certain houses to be shut up for 15 days, &c 427
Wreck of a vessel sold to William, master of ErroU 428
A propine to the king and lord justice on their coming from the
North 428
Beid and Williamson fined for neglecting their duty on Candlemas
day 429
Dissent to any of St. Nicholas' goods being given to Sir John
Butherford 429
Penance on John of Myle 429
No unfreeman to be licensed 430
Process at the instance of the relict of AUardes of that ilk 430
Pension to James Cumyne on his agreeing to practice medicine in
the burgh 431
Fees of a burgess given to Sir John Stirling 431
No woman to buy more meal than required for her own house 431
All to ride with the abbot and prior of Bonaccord on St. Nicholas
day 432
CONTENTS,
Ixxi
1505— Jan. 30,
July 27,
1506— July 19,
Nov. 15,
1507— Feb. 27,
May 16,
... 28,
Oct. 8,
8,
8,
1508— May
8,
July
16,
Nov.
17,
1509 — Jan.
21,
1510— Jan.
30,
Feb.
3,
1511— Nov.
21,
1512— Jan.
25,
May
10,
July
li,
1514— March 19,
1515— Sept.
7,
...
17,
Oct,
11,
Nov.
19,
1517— July
24,
1523— Feb.
5,
5,
April
13,
1530— March 1,
1530
Aug.
i,
1531— M.iy
22,
The craftsmen to keep the procession on Candlemas day 432
Nothing to be hung on the walls of the grey friars before the
" takin of the haly croice" 433
All things pertaining to the bishop's jurisdiction discharged 434
A cross of gold apprized 434
A gold ring apprized 434
All youths to pass with the abbot and prior of Bonaccord every
holy day 435
The skinners to precede the cordiners in all processions 435
No burgess to have a forestaller under him. — No merchant to open
his booth on Sunday. — No swyne to go loose without a ring in
their wort 435
Assize of candles, ale, and bread 437
Statutes „. 437
Action in the consistory court 438
Arrayment for Kobin Huyd and Litile Johnne 438
Two English ships taken and released 439
Inhabitants to ride on St. Nicholas day 439
Complaint of the ministrels 440
Anent the procession on Candlemas day 441
Fines on those who neglected the procession on Candlemas day 441
All to ride on St. Nicholas day .„ 442
Every craft to have a pair of torches on Corpus Christi day 442
A tax of £500 for relieving of the Justice ayr and Chamberlain
ayr — 443
" Strublens" by George Currour of Dome 443
Commissioners chosen to Parliament, but their expenses cannot
be devised 443
Peats due to the bishop elect 444
9 persons to pass to the Duke's [of Albany's] service 444
Letters from John Duke of Albany 444
Every burgess to ride on the feast of St. Nicholas 444
Title to " half of a young swyne" 445
Penance on John Pitt, for calling the bailies " coffeis," &c 445
Craftsmen absent from the Candlemas procession 445
Lords of Bonacord elected 445
The bishop's bailie asks leave to hang a thief. 446
Statutes anent watching tlie town, &c. : — No strangers to be re-
received. — The town's secrets to be kept 446
Every inhabitant to have his armour 448
Anent the array on Corpus Christi and Candclmas days 449
Anent the procession on Corpus Christi and Candclmas days ... 450
Pageants of the craftsmen 451
K
Ixxii
CONTENTS.
1533— Nov.
24,
1535— April
20,
1538 — June
21,
1541— May
29,
Oct.
27,
1545— April
17,
1546— Feb.
22,
June
25,
1548— May
22,
Aug.
3,
Nov.
9,
1653— June
*,
...
4,
1554— May
21,
1556— Jan.
18,
1562— Aug.
17,
1565— May
14,
...
14,
18,
1566— Aug.
25,
List of heirship goods 451
Minstrels' fees 452
Young men to have green coats for decoring the lords of Bon-
accord 452
Complaint of the hammermen as to the procession in Corpus
Christi 452
Dispute as to ground in the Questrow 453
Cordonars convicted of selling insufficient shoes 453
Three minstrels to be in time coming 454
Breach of statutes in selling of wine 454
The litstars to have their banner and pageant 455
Robert Howieson convicted of insurrection, & c. 455
List of goods claimed by a person who was at the battle of Pinky. . . 455
Verdict in his favour 456
Smiths convicted of refusing to go in their order in Corpus Christi, 450
Protest by the Deacon of the Bakers on the subject 456
Disputes as to the order of procession on Corpus Christi 457
List of heirship goods 458
Complaint of James Crichton of Frendraucht 459
Proclamation against Robin Hood, &c 459
Townsmen convicted of coming through the town with a minstrel
playing 459
Their punishment 460
John Cowper's pension for playing on the swesche, &c 460
CONTENTS. Ixxiii
EXTRACTS IN PREFACE.
i'actE
1325 — The barons interfere in the elections of the burgh xxxiii
Burgesses who do not scot and lot in the burgh to have no vote xxxiv
1512 — Complaint by the provost of the great injuries done to the Town by Lord
Forbes and his accomplices xxxv
Artillery taken from the chapel on the hill for protection of the provost's
house xxxvi
Answer by the town to Lord Forbes' demand for a tun of wine xxxvi
1530 — Statute for watchmen on the steeple of St. Nicholas — statutes anent
svvyne— statute anent middings — persons infected with the " seiknes
of Nappillis" to be searched for — women ordered to desist from the sin
of venery xxxvii
1325 — Statutes anent the singers of the quire— anent the duties of the sacristan,
on the death of people of various degrees — the bellman to pass through
the town on Mondays, to name and pray for the souls given him in bill, xl
EXTRACTS
THE COUNCIL REGISTER
THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN.
EXTRACTS
THE COUNCIL REGISTER
OF THE
BURGH OF ABERDEEN.
ISth November, 1398.
Matheus Pynches posuit se in voluntate balliuorum quod non fecit ad
officiura forestarii quam facere debet.
Willelmus Spaldyng posuit se in voluntate balliuorum quod non arres-
tauit omnes dolantes siluam quos potuit arrestasse et est ad assisam quod
ipse non dolauit virides arbores nee licenciauit aliquos ad dolandum.
4th February/, 1399.
Mauricius Suerdslep calurnpnatus de percussione raagistri Willelmi
Moden et etiam de rebellione et inobediencia facta balliuis posuit se in
voluntate balliuorum de dicta calumpnia.
Item, memorandum est quod fregit carcerem regis contra inhibitionem
et defensionem balliuorum testibus ad hoc vocatis per balliuis viz. Simone
Lamb Johanne Ledale Johanne Andree Nicholao Ledale Simone Ba-
nerman cum multis aliis.
18th N'o\ .
1398.
\5th November, 1399.
Assedacio Matheo Pynches et Willelmo Spaldyng pro termino vnius
anni sed ante exitum anni dicta assedacio fuit annullata Et post adnul-
lacionem Johannes Lucris et Donaldus Ka tunc serjandi fuerunt liniitati
custodes dicte foreste pro residuo.
4 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
12th Nov.. I2th November, 1400.
1400. Foresta coramittatur custodie seriandorura istius anni.
SOth October, 1410.
Forestarii conuicti per assisam quid non faciunt ad custodiara silue quod
facere tenentur.
Johannes Willelmi conuictus per assisam quia dolat et destruit siluam
iniuste in magna quantitate.
1411.
W. Fichet et vxor sua communes pikares •
Vxor Johannis Walteri carnificio est communis pikar et receptor •
Johannes Inchouen est communis fur •
Meg Roily de Foty est pikar et rebellis •
Thomas Pykar est puggestor famulorum burgensium ad furandum vasa
sua stangnea •
Filius Elene Couper qui solebat custodire viculos est communis fur •
Johannes Couper Andreas filius suus filia Jonete leueryke sunt com-
munes fures
Elena Couper Anny Couper sunt communes fures et receptores [Anny]
est pessima
Anny Lynton est pessimissima
Christina Man est communis receptor meretricium et furium
Filii vxoris Duncani Futheis sunt pykares communes et nollmagi et
lusores
Anny Rauff
Jamy Hardbak
Dam Margaret Walchope
Elena Cumnbk communis pykar et rebellis
Marion Grame
Puella Marens cum Thoma Thekar
Aly Inchera.
lOth October, 1418.
Pro libertate et facultate presentandi Magistrum Scolarum .
Vniuersis Christi fidelibus ad quorum noticiam presentes litere per-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 6
uenerint Duncanus petit cancellarius ecclesie Aberdonensis salutem in lOth October,
omnium saluatore Quia ad dignitatem canceilarie predicte collacio be- ^^^^•
neficii Magistri Scolarum burgi de Abirdene pleno jure noscitur perti-
nere et idem nunc de facto vacat per mortem Andree de Syves quondam
vicarii de Bervy vltimi magistri scolarum predictarum honesto viro prouido
et discreto magistro Johanni Homyll michi per prepositum et communi-
tatem dicti burgi in pretorio suo presentato ad beneficium antedictum et
examinato de sua sufficiencia diligenter repertoque eciam bone vite lau-
dabilis conuersationis et honeste magne literature et sciencie propter quara
scienciam non immerito in artibus graduatur suis meritis exigentibus per
donacionem birreti' mei contuli beneficium antedictum ipsum in coporalem
et realem possessionem eiusdem inuestiendo sibi pro toto tempore vite
sue remansuro Supplicans omnibus et singulis quorum interest vel inter-
esse poterit ac autoritate michi in hac parte commissa percipiens atque
mandans quatenus predicto magistro Johanni in omnibus et singulis dictum
beneficium suum concernentibus pareant obediant et intendant sub omni
pena que competit in hac parte Datum sub sigillo meo apud Aberdon
decirao die mensis Octobris anno domini millesimo quadringentesimo de-
cimo octauo.
Ath October, 1434.
Item, eodem die frater Johannes minister domus beate Trinitatis infra
burgum de Aberdene protestatus fuit pro vno annuo redditu triginta de-
nariorum debito sibi de vna terra jacente in vico de ly Grene inter
terram Willelmi de Coutis senioris ex parte australi et vnam terram
vastam ex parte boreali ad quam accedens nichil reperit distringibile
preter terram et lapides quos presentauit in curia coram balliuis tan-
quam tertio die processus Testibus dicto Willelmo de Coutis Johanne
Cameron burgense huius burgi et Malcolmo dicto dakir seriando burgi.
Item, predictus frater Johannes minister domus predicte protestatus
fuit pro vno annuo redditu quinque solidorum sibi debito de vna terra
jacente in vico nauium dicti burgi inter terram Roberti Gillespy seni-
oris ex parte orientali et terram Willelmi Huntar ex parte occidental!
' [*♦ Birretum. A covering for the head." A large Dictionary by Thomas Holyoke,
D.D. London, 1677, voce Birretum.]
6 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
4th October, ad quam accedens nichil reperit distringibile pro dicto annuo redditu
^'^*' preter terram et lapides quos presentauit in curia coram balliuis tan-
quam tertio die sui processus Testibus Willelmo de Coutis seniore et
Johanna Cameron ac supradicto Macolmo bedello burgi.
5th October, 1439.
Item, eodem die dominus Alexander Yong capellanus et procurator
domus sancte Trinitatis eiusdera burgi protestatus fuit pro vno annuo
redditu trium solidorum predicte domui debito annuatim de sex rodis
terre vaste jacentibus in vico de la Grene inter ly Denburn ex parte
occidentali et terram quondam Patricii Sharp ex parte orientali ad quam
accedens nichil reperit distringibile ut asseruit peter terram et lapides
quos presentauit in curia tanquam primo die huius processus Testibus
Willelmo de Ithane Galbrath et Macolmo Dacre bidello burgi cum aliis.
Item, eodem die predictus dominus Alexander procuratorio nomine
quo supra protestatus fuit pro vno annuo redditu trium solidorum pre-
dicte domui debito annuatim de vna terra vasta jacente in vico de la
Grene inter quandam terram spectantem ad conuentum fratrum Carme-
litarum burgi predicti ex parte orientali et terram Andree Sprunt ex
parte occidentali tanquam primo die huius processus Testibus eisdem
proximo predictis.
3c? October, 1440.
Quo die dominus Alexander de Irwyne dominus de Drum miles con-
tin uatus fuit in oflScio capitanei et gubernatoris burgi et Johannes de Fife
electus fuit in officiura propositi Walterus de Drurabrek Alexander de
Kyntor Johannes de Culane et Patricias de Badenach in officium balli-
uorum ac Willelmus Atkinson Dalmahoy Willelmus de Straloch et Andreas
Dauidson electi fuerunt in officium bidellorum siue seriendorum dicti burgi.
I2th September, 1441.
Memorandum, that the xii day of September the yer forsaid, it was de-
cretit and ordanit be the comcoune counsaile and diuerse of the merchandes
of this burgh that Matheu Fochet, alderman, and Richard of Rutherfuird,
sal pass for the lousyng and recouerayng of the schippes merchandes and
gudes, the quhilkis arr now of new tane of Inglismen. And because that
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 7
thai haue considerit that this a commoune actioun, thai haue ordanit the 12th Sept.,
coste of the said passage to be made of the commoune purse of this toun. i^^-
It is sene speidfull to the counsaile, that fra hynefurth thair be ordanit
and chosin twa men of gude cunnyng and knawlage, masteres of the com-
moune werk of the toune, the quhilkis sail raise all the rentaile of the
toune, except the rentaile that the baizes sal haue to free anerly the pen-
siones of the toune. And thai sal dispone that guide upon the commoune
werk of this toune, at the devise and as it sail be sene speidfull be the
alderman and the commoune counsaile, swa that the alderman that beis for
the tyme sail entermet with na commoune gude bot anerly it that cummys
of his office, of the quhilk he sail mak lele and trew acompt to the com-
mounes. And quhasaeuer that happynnis to be put furth at lites to be
chosin alderman, or he passe furth, he sail swere to keep this statute and
alsua to keip and gerr be kepit at all his gudely powar the settyng of the
watteres made now laste.
25th January i 1442.
It is decretit be the commoune consale, that for the supprise that Master
John of Caydow did in the outtakyn of Adam of Hillis net, sal cum vith his
bruthir befor the consaile, and set downe on his kneis, and his bruthir to-
gydder, and ask the alderman in the nam of the commounes forgiffines.
And the said Master Jhon sal pay to kyrk werk xl s. vnforgiffin, the
quhilkis the alderman sal ressaue and delyuer to the maisteris of the kyrk
werk ; and he sal enter the personis at war with hym at the outtakyn of
the net to the alderman, this ilke day.
And it is ordanit be the haile consaile, in presence of the Lorde of Drum,
that giff ony man dois sik like case in tyme to cum, that he sal pay sik like
payne vnforgiffin, and tyne his tak to.
It is ordanit be the consall, as anent the contribucion made to our kingis
dochter Elizabeth, in Brettan, that John of Fiif sail mak with the kingis
consall anpoyntment, and fwU end forqwy John of Scrogis the fadder payit
xl lib., and to John of Fyff, x lib., and to Master Watt Ydyll, xiij lib.
And the alderman, John of Mar, deliuerit thir last twa sowrais abowyn
writtyn, and sail deliuer to John of Fyff yet viij lib. And gif the said
8 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
25th January. John of Fyff may mak the town qwyt with this sowm, well be that ; and
i+*2. gjf Yie may nocht be na way be don, than sail the said John of FifF lay
down the tother viij lib. for the town, and mak fwU the sowm of iiij" of lib.
ISth February, 1442.
The xviij day of Februar, the yer of grace xlii, anenee the remanand
of the contribucion to my [ladie] Elizabeth of Britane, the haile counsaile
hes ordanit that it be raisit, and thar sal be chosin four discrete persounes
to falk the tax of men that has tholit skath oft, as thai think speidful.
And than the counsaile chesit Simon Blabre, John Gray, Patrik Bade-
nach.
5tk September, 1442.
Item, that al the communytie, alsweile vnfree as free men, be sworne to
rise with the alderman and balzeis in the defence of the toune, and of the
nychbores of the toune ; and quhasa will noght riese and absentis him will-
fully, he sal tyne his fredorae, and be bannysit out of the toune.
It is sene speidful to the commoune counsaile and the gylde, for the
kepyng and the governance of this burgh, that the yattes at arr vp be
stekit ilke nyght, and in continent the remanand of yattes and othiris opin
places of the toune be stekit and closit, and at the alderman do this with
the eraste pennyes that may be gottyn of the comoune rentaile.
Item, that this burgh sal be wachit ilke nyght with thretty men at the
breste, als lang tyme as the cuntreth is in trubble ; and ony man that beis
warnyt be the officiares of the toune to the waiche, and he compeir noght
at the our, he sal tyne on forgiffin viij s., to be raisit to the commoune
werk of this toune. And ony waicheman that slepis in the nyght, or re-
movis fra the waiche quhile the son rise, sal pay vi d. to the seriandes.
And at the waichman be sufficiently boddin with harnis and wappynnys.
And at na cuntreth men be ressavit to the waiche.
Item, it is ordanit be commoune counsaile, that na man of this toune
quhateuer he be berbery ony man of without the toune ; but in continent
he sail cum to the alderman, and lat him wit of how mony persounes, and
quhat persounes thai arr, vnder the payne of law and bannysing. And
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 9
gine thai happyn to doo any scath, thair herbryoures sal be callit and haldyn 5th September.
arte and parte. ^^^'
Item, al man that has back yettes close thaim, swa that thair cum na
skath throw thaim to the toune, vnder the payne of acht schillinges, and
at thai lok thair foryettes within viij days vnder the sammyn payne.
Item, that al the comunytee asweile vnfree as free men be sworne to rise
with the alderman and balzeis in the defence of the toune and of the nych-
bores of the toune, and quhasa will noght rise and absentis him willfully, he
sail tyne his fredome and be bannysit oute of the toun.
Item, that the balzeis keipe the assise of breide, ale, and flesche, and
at thair be nane ale said derrar than vi d., and at nane brew that hot
brethir of the gild, and othiris sell for iiij d., iij d., and ij d., and the
penny lafe wey xxiiij vnce of bakin brede at the leste. And forthirmar to
make a pais as the cause requiris, and at the baxtares baake na faiges, and
at thai see to prisyng of flesche, and at the price be kepit, vnder payne of law.
Thir craftes vndirwritten sal fynd yerly in the offerand of our Lady at
Candilmes thir personnes vnderwrittin ; that is to say,
The littistares sal fynd,
The empriour and twa doctoures, and alsmony honeste squiares as thai
may.
The smythes and hammermen sal fynd,
The three kingis of Culane, and alsmony honeste squiares as thai may.
The talzoures sal fynd,
Our lady Sancte Bride, Sancte Helone, Joseph, and alsmony squiares as
thai may.
The skynnares sal fynd,
Two bischopes, four angeles, and alsmony honeste squiares as thai may.
The webstares and walkares sal fynd,
Symon and his disciples, and alsmony honeste squiares, &c.
The cordinares sal fynd,
The messyngear and Moyses, and alsmony honeste squiares, &c.
The fleschowares sal fynd,
Twa or four wodmen, and alsmony honest squiares, &c.
10 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
5th September. The brethir of the gilde sail fynd,
1442. rpj^^ knyghtes in harnace, and squiares honestely araiit, &c.
The baxsteiris sal fynd,
The menstralis, and alsmony honest squyares as thai may.
4th September f 1443.
Quarto die mensis Septembris per commune consilium concessa do-
mino Willelmo Ettale capellano et procuratori pontis de Pulgoveny ad
reparacionem eiusdem libertas gilde huius burgi cuicunque honeste et suf-
ficienti persone per eundem dominum Willelmum adducende libere sine
solutione cuiuscunque pecunie preter illam summam quam soluet ad re-
paracionem dicti pontis etc.
7th February, 1444.
Item, because that Mathew Fichet said it was cum til his vnderstand
that Marioune of Croudane hes complaynit to the lorde of Erole that he
had al the wite, and wilfully he put hir fra her watter, the quhilkis scho
had of befor; quharfor he askit a declaracion of the counsaile, quether he
was cause of the forsaid mater or noght, and than he removit. And
the counsaile halely decretit that he had made na sik cause, na he had
na wite thairof.
Memorandum, that anens the contribucion to the kingis sister in Bretan,
the consall has ordanit that the officiaris that intromyttit therwith sail gad-
der and mak fwU paimint for al thaim that ar distrengeabill, and all thai
that ar noght distrengeabill sail present the persownes to the alderman
and to the common consall, and that alowitt gif it swa be.
I4th April, 1444.
Copia litere misse domino comiti de Rosse per prepositum et consilium
huius burgi.
Right mighti and redoutit lord, we commaunde ws on to yhou with al
our hartes, and, for alsmykil as oure souerane lord the king has writtin to
yhour lordschip for the deliuerance of certane Inglisemen, the quhilke ar
in yhour warde and keping, as yhe knaw, we counsaile and beseikis humeli
yhour lordschip with al instance, that, for the worschipe of the king and
the gude of the realme, yhe witsaufe to louse and deliuer frely the said
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 11
Inglismen, for and ye sulde nocht deliuer thame at the kingis instance uth April,
and charge, it war great lak and sclaundre to the king and the realme, ^*^-
and lessing of yhour worship, the quhilke God auerte ; for sen, loved be
God, heddirtillie yhe hau al tyme obeit the king alsweil as ony lord of
Scotland, and kepit ane hale part til him, for the quhilkis, God will, and
yhe sal sone haue grete loving and reward ; God forbid that yhe suld, for a
litil raonee that thir Inglismen has promissit yhou, warpiss your gude name,
and the reward and thank that yhe have deservide and wonnyn of the king.
Right myghti and redoutit lord, Almyghti God conserue yhou euermar,
with incressing of honour and worschip. Writtin at Aberdene the xiiij dai
of Aprile.
Ath June, 1444.
Item, that the fleschowaris dicht and raak clene the fleschous ilke ouke
on Friday, and at thai remove away the huches that arr in to the fleschous,
inder the sammyn payne.
Quarto die mensis Junii anno Domini xliiij, per commune consilium
ordinatum fuit et statutum etc.
In the firste, that naman fleschehowar within the burgh or withoute sell
mutoune derrar than the bouke for ij s. viij d. the best that may be gottin,
and the remanent their efter be the price, vnder the payne of viij s. vnfor-
givin, alsoft as thai trespass.
Item, that na fleshowar of within or withoute tak oute of ony mutoune
the neris or the nerecress fra the feest of Mychelmess, vnder paye of eschete
of the mutoune to the balyhes, &c.
Item, that na fleschowar sell flesche na brek flesch in ony othir place
bot the fleschous vnder the payne of viij s. vnforgivin, alsoft as thai be
taynte and esshete.
9M October, 1444.
The samyn dai, Henrie Raife, maister of the barge that brak noght lang
syne beside this havin, and his merchandes George Logane and Johne
Cutbertson, comperit in the tolbuith of this burghe, befor the alderman
12 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
9th October, and the counsaile, in presence of the Erie of Craufuird, and their the
I***- alderman in name of the toun askit and sperit at the said raerchandis and
maister gine thai war oght playntouse of ony nichbour or induellar of this
burgh of any of thair gudes tane or haldin fra thame, proflPerand that give
thar be ony cause of playnt it suld be weil reformyt and amendid. And
the said maister and raerchandis said thai wyst of na cause of playnt, hot
the gude men of the toune had done right weile to thaim, of the quhilk
thai thankit hartlie the gude men of the toune, requiryng thaim of gude
continuacioun ; giue thai may get witting of ony gude that it be restorit,
and that the alderman grauntit thankfulli to doo. And upon this the
alderman askit instrumentis diuerse.
It is ordanit that Williame Mathouson, for the supprise done be him to
John Gait, sal begyn to morne, that is to say the xv day of the moneth
of October the yher forsaid, and he sal vphald the ladymesse with uoce on
Twisdai, Thurisdai, and Fridai ilke owke for a yher, and quhilk of tham
twa that trespassis fyrst til othir in tyme to cum, and distrublis wther for
this cause in tyme to cum, sal pay to the kirk werk x lib. vnforgiffin.
Borgh for William Mathouson, John of Scrogs the son, and for John Gait,
John of Scrogs the fadre.
I3tk December, 1444.
It is ordanit and statute for the commoune gude and quiete of this
toune, and for stancheing of trespassours and rebellours agayne the law,
that all the indwellaris and inhabitantes of this burgh sail assist to the
alderman and officiaris of this burgh to manteigne the law and punyce
trespassouris but fauour ; and quhasa dois the contrair sail be haldin rebell
agayne the toune, and that the gudemen of the toun sal write to the king
vnder the commoune seell to be punyst be him, and all sic rebellours sal
be excludit fra al takes, profites, office, and worschip of this toun.
Item, quhassa euer beis conuicte thrise for barganyng and tulyheing,
salbe haldin for a commoun tulyhour and rebellour, and send to the king
as sic trespassour, and that sal be notifiit vnder the seel of this toun.
Item, that the officiaris of the toun sal punyce trespassouris after the
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 13
commoune law and the statutis of this burgh but favour, and thai sal heir I3th December,
na requeste of naman for trespassouris qvhat degre that euer he be of. ^^^^•
I6th December, 1444.
Decimo sexto die mensis supradicti anno Domini xliij. Anence the
fraght that James of Foulfurd, factour to the Erie of Orkynnay, askit at
the merchandes of this toun of the gudes that was in his barge that brak
at the Scaw. It was answerit to the semmyn James, that because it is
vnkawin to the said merchandes quhether, as the case is coramyn and gane,
they aw to pay al the fraght or pairt or nocht ; and sen the mater langis
tham, thai ar loth to be jugis in thair awne cause, thai will, quhat time
it be plessand to the said Lorde Erie, or at the erast general counsaile,
compeir befor the commissaris of burrowis, and than at the ordinance of
thaim the fraght sal be paiit, &c., alsferr as thai fynd that it is awnd.
I8tk February, 1445.
The xviij day of the month of Februar, the yher of grace xlv, Jhone
of Scrogs, and Jhone Gray, twa of the ballieis of the burgh of Aber-
dene, and Gilbert Meignes, vnder aumerale in name of the tovne, has re-
sauit in to saafgarde and vnder thar licence, Roger Yhong, Inglisman, and
his childer, because of scortnes of his condit for the tyme that he bydis
or makis residens in the havynnis of Scotlande, and this throw vertu of
the trewis, bath schipe and gude.
20th March, 1445.
James, be the grace of God king of Scottis, to the aldermen, ballyhes,
and communiteis of owre borowes of Aberdene and Inuernes, greting. For
alsmykil as diuerse persounes, Inglishmen, ar arrestit and withhakiin in
the north partis of our lande, agayne the natur of our trewis, be serui-
tours and men pertenyng to our derraste cosing the Erie of Rosse, for the
lowsyng of the quhilkis Inglishmen we haue written to oure said cosing,
vnder oure priuie seel, with oure seruitoure, John Scrimgeoure, berare
of thir oure letteres. Oure will is, and we pray yhou effectuouslic, and
alsa chargis that yhe assist forthir, and supple the said oure seruitoure in
lousing of the said persounes Inglismen, as yhe loue the gvde of our
trewis and furthiring of yhoure self in sic like case, and vndir sic charge
as eftir may folow. And forthir owre in this mater gives credence to
14 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
20th March, oure saide servitoure in it, as he schawis you in oure name. Gevin vnder
I**-'- oure signet, at Striueling, the xx dai of Marche, and of oure regne the
nynt yhere.
\9th April, 1445.
It is ordanit be the counsaile, that fra hyne forthwartis the fleschouris
'of this burgh sal sla ilka Setterdai at evin, or the son gang too, almyskil
flesche as sal serue al the ton on Sundai at the leeste, suppose that
strangearis come to the ton ; and thai sal sla on Monoundai the flesche that
sal serue on Monoundai and Twisdai ; and they sal sla on Wednysdai that
sal serue on Thurisdai ; and they sal sell na flesche quhill it be prisit be
the sworne prisaris, the quhilke the alderman and the bailyheis sal bryng
to thaim, and thai be warnit quhat time that thair flesche be redy ; and
that thai sell na flesche vnprisit, as is forsaid, vnder the payne of tynsal
of the flesche, and viij s. vnforgiffin, and bannysing fra the craft at the
third tyme. And it sal be lieveful to the alderman and balyheis for to
tak, in absence of the sworne prisaris, ony vtheris gude men of the toune
to prise the flesche, makand gude faith tharto. And that thai sell na
flesche bot vnder the tolbuth, and at it be kepit in honeste.
30th April, 1445.
The last day of the moneth of Aprile, the yhere of grace a thousand
four hundreth fourty and five, it was concludit, statute, and ordanit be
the commoune counsaile, and mony othir of the gilde, for letting and
stanching of diuerse enormyteis done in time bygane be the abbotis of this
burgh, callit of bone acorde, that in time to cum thai will giue na feis to
na sic abbotis.
Item, it is sene speidful to thame that for the instant yher thai will
have na sic abbot ; but thai will that the alderman for the tyme, and a
balyhe quhom that he will tak til him, sail supple that faute.
Item, it is sene speidful to the counsaile to trete giue thai may get the
fredome to be schirrefis within the toun, and to mak a coste tharapon.
4th October, 1445.
Item, dominus Alexander Yhong capellanus procurator fratris Dauid
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 15
ministri domus fratrum beate Trinitatis huius burgi nomine procuratorio 4th October,
quo supra protestatus fuit pro vno annuo redditu iii s. iiij d. eodem domui ^^'^'
debito annuatim de quadam terra jacente in Futy inter terrara Thome de
Park ex parte australi et terram Alexandri ex parte boreali ad quam
accedens nichil reperit distringibile preter terram et lapides quos presen-
tauit in curia tanquam primo die huius processus Testibus Alexandre
Cryne Willelmo Fichet et Patricio Piot seriando.
2fi? October, 1447.
Item, eodem die accedens ad barram dominus Robertus Patterson pro-
curator fratris Dauid ministri domus fratrum sancte Trinitatis huius burgi
protestatus fuit pro quodam annuo redditu x solidorum eidem domui
debito annuatim de quadam terra vasta jacente ex parte occidentali vici
inferioris ecclesie inter terram Alexandri de Cumray ex parte borealy et
terram Villelmo Elder ex parte australi ad quam accedens nichil reperit
distringibile preter terram et lapides quos presentauit in curia tanquam
primo die huius processus Testibus Villelmo Fycchat Thoma Ander-
son Macolmo Dachar sargyando cum aliis.
Item, idem dominus Robertus nomine quo supra protestatus fuit pro
quodam annuo redditu trium solidorum et iiij°' d. eidem domui debito de
quadam terra vasta jacente ex parte australi vici de le Greyn inter terram
Andree Sprwnt ex parte orientali ex vno et ly Denburn ex parte occidentali
partibus ex altera ad quam accedens nichil reperit distringibile preter ter-
ram et lapides quos presentauit in curia tanquam primo die huius processus
Testibus eisdem supradictis.
Qth October, 1447.
Item, the sammyn day, the said counsaile has consentit and concludit
that alsweil the feit chaplaynis and the feft chaplaynis sail be rewlyt and
governyt, and trespassouris correct be the sight of the alderman and coun-
saile forsaid, or ellis the agaynstandaris of this statute sail noght be
maynetenyt be the maisteres, &c.
\1th January, 1448.
Quhilk day wes chosin be the hale consale and comunitie Gilbert
16 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
17th January, Meigneis, Duncane of Clat, Jhone Yong of Scrogs, and Mathow Fichet,
^*^- til ordanyt and se how ilke man of this burgh sal be bodyne anent the ap-
perande wer to cum of Inglis men, the quhilk to do lelely and treuly the
forsaid personis hes sworn the gret ath without fraud or gile.
9tk June, 1448.
It is statute and ordanit that na hukistar na regretar by butter, cheese,
or eges to sel agayne quhill the hour of ane efter none, vnder the payne of
banysing of this toune and brynning of the cheike, and syne that thai sail
sell na butter na cheese bot be weght, and the punde of butter for iij d.,
and the punde of cheese for j d. ob. and na derrar, and that thai sell na
less na x eggis for j d. vnder payne forsaid.
\5th June, 1448.
Quo die Dominus Nicholaius de Blar rector ecclesiae parochialis de
• Dunottir presentauit eisdem preposito et balliuis literas Regis sub
signeto huiusmodi sub tenore.
James, be the grace of God king of Scottis, til the alderman and the
balyheis of our burgh of Aberdene, greting. For alsraykil as we ar informyt
be our lovid cosyng, Williame Lord Haya, our constable of Scotland, that
thar was a sclander put to a chaplayne of his, callit Nichole of Blar, per-
sonne of Dunottir, of the slauchtir of a man and his soite at was borne at
yhour corss of Aberdeine, our will is, and we straitly chargis yhou and
commandis, that in all haste thir lettres sene yhe gerr inquir be a diligent
inqueste of the best and the worthiast of yhour burgh, and at best knawis
qwha warr the beraris and folowaris of the said soite and principal, sendyng
thair names to our said constable, vnder yhour coramoune seel, as yhe will
stand for, and this yhe do vnder al payne and charge at efter may folow ;
and thir our lettres be yhou dewley execute, togidder with the inquisicion
and your deliuerance gevis to the berar. Gevin vnder our signet at Fauc-
land, the vi dai of Junii, and of our regne the twelft yher. And efter the
redyng of the said lettres the said Schir Nichole requirit instantly the
forsaid alderman and balyheis that thai wald procede to the inqueste and
execucion of the said lettres efter the tenour and eflFecte of thaim, the
quhilkis efter his rightwise desir chesit to the said inqueste thir personnes
vndir writtin, that is to say, Gilbert Meignes, Richard Vans, Andro Tu-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 17
lidef, John Scroggs, pater Duncane of Clat, Andro Ayncroft, Thomas isthJune.
Blyndseil, John Voket, Thomas Kintor, William Cadiow, Patrike Ba- ^^'^^•
denach, John Blyndseil, Dauid Megnes, Adame Nicholson, Dauid Lich-
toune, Henricus Levynton, and John Tulidef. The quhilkis, sworne the
grete ath, said and deponit that Schir Androw Murison, chaplane, and
Patrik his brothir, prineipales, and James of Forbes, son and air apperand
to Schir Alexander Lord Forbes, and Schir John of Forbes of Tullquhon,
knyght, in thar helpying and supple with thair inherdance, warr folowaris
and makaris of the said soite at the corss of the said burgh of Aberdene, &c.
The samyn dai, John Voket the son, ane of the balyheis of the said burgh,
avisetly oute of courte yheide to the merkate corss, and opynly proclamyt
the land that quhilun Roger Williamson dwelt in, and ane other litil sclate
house Hand in the Chekar, quhilkis warr the said Rogeris, to be said as
movable gude til ony that wald by thaim, and gife maste for thaim, be-
cause of XV lib. g. xii s. g. aucht of aide be the saide Roger of the reste
of the king Jamys finance, quhom God assolzhe, and this was done before
the hale multitude in the merkate, as for the firste dai of this processe.
1st July^ 1448.
The firste dai of Julii, the yher of grace j"" cccc xlviij, the commoune
counsaile has concludit and grauntit to niak a propyne to our souerane
lord the kingis welcum, quhilk is now to cum, of twa tunnes of Gascoene
wyne, sex lichtis of iij stane of wax, and xij half pundis of scorchetis, or
falyheand tharof xij hale pundis.
Ath October, 1448.
This is the appoyntment betuex Alexander of Wardlaw, Andrew Pulty,
John JafFraison, Stephanus Huntar, and Johne Duncaneson, takaris of
certane men plegis of Hertilpule on that a part, and John Stephinson,
burges of this burgh, on that othir part, that is to say, that John Stephin-
son is obliste be the faith of his bodie to do his lele deligence to keipe the
said plegis, for quhais costis and kepyng he sal haue euery dai v schillingis
of vsuale monee of Scotland, fra the dai of thair entree on to the tyme of
thair passage, the quhilk monee sal be paiit to the said John of the eraste
siluer and gold that cummys of the said plegis, and or he part with thaim ;
and the said John Stephinson has na perile na aventur of thair kepyng, bot
to do his lele diligence as is forsaid, and at he sal noght deliucr thaim, bot
18 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
4th October, of charge and consent of all the forsaid men or thair procuratoures Attour
^^®' thai haue proraissit to the said John a reward for his kepyng and labour,
to be modifiit be John of Fif, alderman, and Gilbert Meignes, burges of
this burgh.
December i 1448.
Eodem die Johannes Spens et Alexander Anderson custodes foreste de
Stokate quilibet eoruni in amerciamento curie per confessionem propriam
pro eodem quia non fecerunt in officio suo quod debuerunt.
\mh October, 1449.
The quhilk day it wes ordanit be hel consale, with the consent of the
merchandis of this burgh, that ilke merchande man that sendis gud to
Bruges sal gif in the honor of God and Sanct Nicolace our patron, that is
to say, iiij grot of ilke sek of woU, and iiij grotis of the clath of skynnis,
and j grot of ilke barrell, and a grot of ilke dacre of hidis, and this to be
disponit vpon the reparacion of the perise kirk of Sanct Nicolace ; and of
ilke barrell that passis out of this burgh to the Firth or yet ony othir place
j d. of the barrell to be disponit as is forsaid ; and this wes gravntit with
ane assent, and to be put vnder the comon sele and for iiij yher til endur
quhil thai be better avisit.
19^^ Feburary, 1450.
The assise hes ordanit that John Traile to fulfill the condicion made in
his obligacion, and yherly to pay xl s. quhill he bryng hame the blew stane
til his fadre, and that to be raiset be the sight and ordinance of his modre,
and of Schir Adam, and Thomas his brother, til syng for his fadre saule
at Sancte Duthawis altar. And of the three yheris bigane give it be not
paiit, we ordane him to pay it at the sight of the personnes befor written
plegio, Roberto Gillespy ; et dictus Johannes obligauit terram quam habet
de patre suo ad seruandum dictum Robertum indempnera in presentia curie.
loth April, 1450.
The quhilk assise hes ordanyt and determinyt that John Gray sail pay
. for him and for his falow, Patrik of Fife, to the Erie of Orkynnay, of his
pensioune of the yher that they warr in office, for the freyng of the toune
xi lib. xvi s. x d. And swa remanys of the samrayn pensioune, xi lib.
ix s. X d., the quhilk soume the sammyn assise has ordanit Wiiliame
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 19
Scherar, quhilk was alderman for the tyme, to pay and assith to the said isth Apni,
Lord Orkynnay, in full payment of the said pensioune, vnto the tyme that ^'*'^*^
the said Williarae Scherar mak his acompt.
2c? November, 1450.
The secundi dai of Nouembre, the yher forsaid, Duncane of Clat, dene
of gilde, presente in the courte the Eucariste of siluer quhilk Theman gold-
srayth had in making. To the making of the quhilk Eucariste the forsaid
Duncane deliuerit iiij" iij vnce of siluer, and he paiit in part of the makyng
iiij lib. And he has ressauit agayne in werk liiij vnce, the quhilk he pre-
sent in the courte. And swa remanys in Themannis handis xxix vnce, for
the quhilk Maister John of Cadiow is becummyn, and becummys dettour
be this writ, writtin with his propre hand.
13^^ September, 1451.
Nomina Assise.
Johannes de Marr, Duncanus Clat, Johannes Gray, Johannes Voket,
Johannes Howison, Johannes Scrogis, pater Willelmus Rolland, Ricardus
Kintor, Thomas Kintor, Willelmus Meignes, Andreu Pantar, John Stephin-
son, et Johannes Tulydef. The quhilk assise ripely avisit, and the witnesmen
examynit and herd in the cause movit betuex John Ghesinot and his felowschip
maister of a schip of werr of the toune of Deipe, on that a partie, and Hans
Lubic, maistre of a schipe of Trailesond, and his merchandes and schip-
men, almaynes, twcheyng the taking of thair sammyn schyp, on that othir
partie, deliueris in this maner vnderwrittin, that is to say, because the said
mater belangis in a part to our souerane lord the king, and thai haue
herd seildom or neuer sic matteres declarit, the samyn assise remittis
the decision and finale determinacion of the said cause to our said soue-
rone lord and his counsaile, be thaira to be decidit and endit. And in
the menetyme, thai ordane that the admiral deputis sail intermet with,
and keip the forsaid Duche mennys schipj gudes, and fracht in souertee,
to the avale and profite of thaim to quhom thai sail be jugeit be our said
souerone lord and his counsaile.
2\st Aprile, 1452.
The xxi dai of Aprile, the yher of Grace j"* iiij'^ fiftee and twa, the
maste parte of the hale communitee of this burgh deliuerit and consentit
all with ane assent, that, because of perile apperand, the toune salbe
20 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
*2ist April, stryngthnit and fortifiit with walles and strynthes in all gudeli haste ;
^■**^" and, because this may noght be devisit and done with mony persounes,
the aldermane sail chese certane weel set persounes to passe with him
aboute the toune, and devise quhat raaner of strynthning sal be made,
and in quhat places, and how the coste salbe tane and made. And quhat-
suraeuer thing the forsaides persounes devises, ordanis, and does, ther
sal naman contrar agayne call na agaynstand, vndir pane that thai
sail demaryt as brekaris of commoune ordinance without rerayssioune,
and the alderman, in presence of the sammyn communitee, hes chosin to
pass with him thir persounes vndirwrittin, that is to say, the dene of
the gilde Duncane of Clat, John Scrogs the son, Richard Kyntor,
John Howison, and Wat GiflPard, with otheris werkman, quhilkis plesis
thaim to haue with thaim.
22rf May, 1453.
The samyn day has grauntyt the said alderman and consaile to Johne
Crukshanke, the seruice of the kepyng of the orlage for this yer, and
til hafe til his fee for ye seruice of it xl s., and has sworne the gret athe
to do his diligent besynes to ye keping of it.
5th October, 1453.
Item, it was avisit, statute, and ordanit be the said counsaile, for the
vphaldyng and eikyng of Godis seruice to be done in the paroche kirk
of this burgh, that al and sindri chaplanys, the quhilkis has feft altaris,
or that ar feit be worthi men of the toune, sal cum daili and do divyne
service, that is to say, matynys, hiemesse, and evinsang, and give ony of
thaim absentis him fra three of the said howris continualli, thai salbe ex-
cludit and expellit that thai sal noght syng messes within the said kirk
for a yher, hot giue thai haue suflBcient excusation, quhilkis be sene re-
sonable to the alderman and to the correctour of the queir, and the feft
chaplanys that beis absent as said is, sal tyne atour thair chaplanijs : and
the alderman sail dispone thairapon be aviseofthe commoune counsaile.
2Qth July, 1456.
Vniuersis ad quorum noticias presentes litere peruenerint et specialiter
mercatoribus et comburgensibus nostris et eorura seruitoribus partes Flan-
drie exercentibus prepositus balliui et consules burgi de Aberdene in Scocia
salutem in auctore salutis Quia suppremus dominus noster rex fauorabiliter
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 21
et graciose concessit prouido viro laurentio porastrat incole et burgensi ville 20th'Juiy.
(le Flusa in Flandria Vt sit hospes et receptor omnium et singulorum mar- i**^^-
catorura et legeorum regni sui infra dictam villam de Flusa residenciam seu
residere valencium temporibus profuturis Noueritis nos de fidelitate indus-
tria et experta diligentia eiusdera laurencii plenam fiduciara optinentes ma-
tura deliberatione perhabita eundera laurentium in hospitem nostrum bur-
gensium et marcatorura nostri burgi predicti recepisse et admisisse necnon
recipere et adraittere per presentes Quare vobis omnibus et singulis mer-
catoribus et comburgensibus nostris et eorum seruitoribus exbortamur et
tirraiter damns in mandatis quatenus quod vos aut vestrum quemlibet in
dicta villa de Flusa aut in confinibus eiusdem venire residere aut moram
trauere contigerit hospicium vestrum cum dicto laurencio in dorao recipere
tenere et obseruare curetis sibi prouide gratitudines et rectitudines secun-
dem antiquas consuetudines parti um Flandree huiusmodi hospitibus debitas
sine quouis obstaculo honesto et hillariter erando et largiendo adque omnia
et singula premissa inuiolabiliter obseruando vos et vestrum quemlibet
astringimus firmiter per presentes quibus pro nostra voluntate duraturis
In testimonium premissorum sigillum nostrum commune quo ad causas
vtimur apponi fecimus in pretorio nostro burgi predicti xx die mensis Julii
anno Domini Ivi.
Memorandum, that at the giffin of the chapilnary of Saynt Nichallis
altar to Sir Henry Hervy, Mayster Duncane Scherar and Androw Scherar
comperit personaly befor the alderman and consale, and declaryt to thaim
that they hade made a promyse and graunt to the saide Maister Duncane
of the erast chapilnary, that vakit at was at thar gift, he sulde hafe it, and
besoucht thiar maister schippis, that sen that chapelnary of Saynt Nichallis
altar was than vakande, that thai wald keip thair promyse and graunt til
hym thairof. And tharefter the alderman and consale considerande that thai
micht nocht gudely forga the seruice of the said Sir Henry fra the seruice of
the queir, avisitly made instans to the said Mayster Duncane, and Androw,
at thai walde at that tym supercede and thole thaim to gif the said chapil-
nary to the said Schir Henry, because thai mycht nocht guidly forga him
fra the seruice of the queir ; and thai sulde hafe the erast chapilnary that
vakyt at war at thair gyft, gif it lykit the saide Maister Duncane himself
til hafe it, or gif it pleysit the saide Mayster Duncane and Androw til
gif it til ony vthiris of thair frendis that ar gaynnandc and sufficiande
thair for.
22 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
2d December, 2d December, 1459.
1450. •pjjg samyn dai it was appoynttit and fuUely accordit, betuex the al-
derman and the commoune consaile of this burgh on that a pairt, and
Maister John of Levington, vicar of Inuerugy, on that other pairt, anes
the biggyne of the brigg on the vater of Dee in maner and form as efter
folowis, that is to say, at the said Maister John has tane on hande to be
maister and gouernour of the said work, be the sicht and aviso of the
alderman and consail ; to the quhilk work the forsaid alderman and consaile
sal gif yherly, for the termes often yheris, xx lib of their commoune purse.
22d December, 1461.
The , xxii day of December, the yher of oure Lorde a thousand four
hundreth sexte and ane, it is ordanit and concludit be the hale common
consale, and be avise, consent, and ordinance of the maste parte of the
comownis of this burgh, Alexander of Chamowr that day beand for-
spekar for the comownis and merchandis thar beand present, that ony
man, quhat euer he be, of state heyar or lawer, duelland within this
burch, at pais nocht his male, or at withhaldis in his handis vnpait fra a
terme til ane vthir his male or ony vthir siluer, othir of tax or revenowis,
quharthroch it may ryn to hendryng or preiudice to the toune ; at that
man, of quhatsumeur degree he be, sal not hafe tax of wateris nor of
land, na yet sal be chosin in tyme to cum to beir ony offices within this
burch, quhill the time at he freith hym selff, and kepe the toun vnscathit
anentis the king and all other men of all dettis and chargis acht be hym.
I3th Januarie, 1462.
Be it made kend till all men be their present lettres, ws alderman, bailheis,
consale, and communitie of the burgh of Aberdene, to be oblist til a noble
and michtie lord, Alexander Erie of Huntlie, and Lorde of Baidenach, in
manere and fourrae as efter folowis : This is to say, forsamekle as the
forsaid lorde is oblist till ws in mantenance and supplie, to keipe ws in
oure fredomes, and infeftmentis for certaine termes, as in the foirsaid lordis
letteris at lynth made til ws thairapon mar fullely is contenit, that we sal
be lele and trew to the forsaid lorde erle, in counsale gif he aakis ws efter
oure wittis and knaulage, and kepe his counsale gif he chargis ws, and
atour quhen it sail pleise the forsaid lorde to cum to oure saide burgh
with few persons or mony, and to remain or pas quhen him likis, we sal
at all oure gudely powere conserue and kepe him and his company within
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 23
oure said burgh, to tak sic part with him in his defens as we wald do for i^*'' January,
the defens of oure awyn persons, kepand our allegeans til oure souerane
lorde the king, and the fredomes of oure said burgh. Thir oure letteres
til enduir for al the terraes of ten yeres fra the day and date of ye making
of thaira. In witnes of the quhilk thing, oure secrete sele to thir oure
letteris is affixt, at oure burgh of Aberdene forsaid, the xx" day of Januare,
the yere of God j™ cccc sexte and twa.
The xx" day of Januarie, the yere sexte and twa, thir persons, vn-
dirwrittin, ane assise chosyn be the greate aith till decyde efter thaire
knawlage, the actioune betuix ane worthy knycht, Schir Walter Stewart
of Strathoune on that a part, and Dauid Symson on that othir part,
that is to say, Alexander of Chamour, Johne of Mar, Johne of Scrogs,
Johne Wodd, Johne Woket, Andrew Rede of Petfothell, Gilbert the
Waus, Johne Matheson, Thom. of Fife, Thorn. Guelp, Johne Litstar,
the said persons ordanis at Dauy Simpson sal bryng hame to the said
Schir Walter, knycht, ane dispensatioune be Pasch cum a yere, next efter
folowand the date of this write, and failyeand thereof, the forsaid Dauy sal
content and pay to the forsaid Schir Walter xxv pundis Scottis, but fraude
or gile, efter as in ane obligacioun maid therapon be the said Dauy to the
said Schir Walter mar fullely is contenit.
\2th July, 1463.
The xii day of the moneth of July, the yer of God Ixiij yeris, it was
fundin and opinly knawine be the altherman and the balzeis syttande in
jugement, that Henry of Culan, son and air of umquhile Alexander of
Culan, burges of Aberdon, of lachfull aige, out of tutoury, and has chosine
til his curatis to gowerne him, Androw of Lesly and Thome of Culan, his
cosingis, to gowerne him and his gudis, and at the stok of his gudis be
furthe cummande til his profitis and quha to it may after, and to fynd the
childe of the brok of his gudis to the vsche of fyue yeris, the saide v yeris
beande runyn, the gudis belangande to the saide Henry to be deliueryt til
him or to thaim that it may afFer to of law, befor the altherman and the
bailyeis forsaide be his saide curatis but ony stopping.
And thir ar the gudis and sommys that the saide curatis has ressauyt
of the saide Henry of Culanis fra Wat. Moryson : fyrst, a gold signet,
price iij lib. ; item, iij siluer spunys, price xv s. ; item, of siluer, v lib.,
V s. vii d. ; item, for a belt, viij s ; item, for a sake and a gowne of blowe
24 EXTKACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
12th July, pryce xxxv s. ; item, a countir and a schryne, price xx s., for the quhilkis
^■*^* sommys and gudis the saide curatis and the childe has dischargit the
saide Wat Moryson in presens of the said altherman and bailzeis, and
thair attour the said curatis has fundin Jamys Craike souertie to the said
altherman and bailzeis that the stok of thir forneramyt gudis sal be furtht
cumande for the profite of the saide Henry, or to quhom to it may affer of
law, the saide fyve yeris beande runnyn, and thairto the saide Jamys is
oblist, be the faith of his body, befor thir witnes, Norman of Lesly, Duncane
Alone, Thome of Culane, Duncane of Straloch, with vthyr sindry.
Uth July, 1463.
The xiiij day of Julij, the yer Ixiii, it is ordanyit be the altherman
and the consaile that Dauy Patrikson, burges of the saide burgh, for
the rebellione done be him to the altherman, fyrst, that he sail ramayne
in the tolbuth on to the morne, at the wil of the altherman and the
consaile ; and thar efter, on the Sonday next to cum, the saide Dauy sail
cum bar fute, with his gowne louse, and a candill of a punde of wax in
his hande, to Saint Nicholace kirk in the tyme of the hee messe, and
offir that candill thar to the altar, and aske the altherman and his con-
saile forgifnes, for the luf of God, and neuer to do sic thyng again ; and
syne thar efter the said Dauy, fra that day furth, sal gyf oukly for the
hale yeir, a pynt of wyne to the kirke for his said rebellione, and to the
fulfilling of this, the saide Dauy is oblist and sworne, be the fath of his
body, in presens of the altherman and his consale.
18^^ July, 1463.
[Letter to the Earl of Huntly and others.]
Hee and myghty lordis, I recomawnde me humbly on to your lord-
schippis with all humilytie and seruice. Pleyse your lordschippis to wit,
that I hafe ressauyt certan credens of youris, be your skwyar Alexr. of
Lesly, chargeand me and the tone to be at you this Monunday at evine
at the Cabbrach. My lordis, I hafe callit the nichburis of our tone
and schawin thaim your credens, the quhilk nichburis ar wele set at all
thair gudely poweris to pleyse your lordschippis with thair serUice, in
alsfer as thai may, beseking your lordschippis ye will nocht be displeysit
that thai may nocht come to this hasty tryst, efter his credens, for in
gud fathe, we hafe na hors, na may get none to cum, because of the
warnyng of the cuntre of gentilmen, to cum to your lordschippis at this
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 25
tryst. And forthir, my lordis, we. ar chargit be oure souerane lorde I8th Juij-,
to kepe oure toune, for he is sickerly informyt of a flot of Inglismen to
cum for the destruction of our tone, and of vtheris within this realme,
for the quhilkis we beseke yow to hafe us excusit, as our great traist is
in your singular lordschippis, the quhilkis Allmichty God conserue at
your hee and mythty nobill hartis desiris. Writtyn, vnder my signet, at
Aberdon, this last Monunday the xviii day of July.
30th August, 1463.
Copia litere directe Domino de Forbes per consilium et communitatem
huius burgi.
Richt honorable and michty lorde, we commawnde ws hartly on to
your lordschip. And pleysit your lordschip, to wit, that we hafe ressauyt a
letter of youris from your chaplayn, this last Twysday, and quhar your
lordschip writes til ws that certane personys of oure burgh is cum ray n
in contrare of your lordschip, in feir of weir ; and, as your lordschip
presumys that thai passit nocht without avyse and consaile of ws, we
declar to your lordschip that we war nathir art nor part, rede nor con-
saile, of the personys that passit in contrar of your lordschip ; nor thinkis
neid to gif rede nor consaile til ony man to do ony molestacione or
greife in contrar of your lordschip, bot euer to do servuice and eni-
plesance to your lordschip at our gudely poweris ; and quhar your lord-
schip complenzeis upon our alderman, that men of his hushalde was ther,
we hafe inquyrit at hym thairof, and his answer tyll ws is, that be his wittyn
thar was na man thar belangande him or his hushalde ; and he sayis, gif
it pleyse your lordschipe till reherse ony mannys name of his hushalde
that was thar, it sal be wele amendyt that your lordschip salbe empley-
sit ; quharfor, we beseche your lordship richt instantly, that ye be nocht
grevit nor displeysit at ws, nor at our nichtbouris, for ony cause done be
ws, for we think to kepe our kindnes to your lordschip, that your lord-
schip salbe empleysit be the grace of God, and traistis the samyn in your
lordschip, quhilkis AUmythty God conserue in lang lestande honour and
prosperite. Writyn vnder our secret sele of cause, the penult day of
August. Youris, at thair gudely poweris, the consaile and communitie
of the burgh of Aberdeine.
Nobili et potenti domino Domino de Forbes domino nostro confident!.
D
26 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
aoth December, ^Oth December, 1463.
1463. rpjjg g^jj j^y^ anent the debate movit betuix Theman, goldsmycht, on that
a part, and Thomas RebuVne, goldsmycht, on that vthir part, of ane ferthing
of ane Inglis Nobill, changit be the saide Theman to the saide Thomas
for the valou of quhite siluer. The quhilk ferthing the said Theman
assayit tharefter to wirk, and fande it nocht sufficyande golde, and askyt
the saide Thomas to pay him his siluer that he gaf him, and to tak his
ferthing agyn. The quhilk the saide Thomas reffoysit to do, because that
the ferthing was brokin be the saide Theman, and nocht in the ply he
gaf it him. Vpon the quhilk debate, with consent of bathe the parteis
forsaide, thair was chosin ane assise of worthi men to decyde and ende the
saide debate: that is to say, John of Fyfe, Robert Blindesele, Robert
Wormet, William Vokate, John Litstar, Thome Quelp, and Adam of
Crafuirde, with vthyr man. The forsaide parteis, be the treuthis of thair
bodiis, til vnderly and fulfill oblist thair deliuerance and sentens of the
saide debaitis. The quhilk assise, wele and ryply avysit, has delyuerit,
and for sentens furth giflSn, that Theman, goldsmycht, sal sustene na scathe
for the brekine of the saide ferthing, bot deliuer it agayn to the saide
Thomas Ryburne, and he to content Theman of v s. vi d. agayn, that
he gaf him for it, sen it was nocht lachfuU nor suflficiande to pass for pay-
ment na werk, and the forsaide Thomas til sok til his warande gif he hafe
ony til vpricht him.
20th March, 1466.
Copia litere burgi de Perth.
Richt honorable and worschipfuU schiris, and richt hartly louyt nicht-
buris, we commande ws hartly to yow. And for alsmekle as we hafe vnder-
standin your letteres sende til ws of a questione fallin amangis yow, be
the decesse of ane of your nichtburis, the quhilk maryit twa wyffis, and
hade with the fyrst wyflF a dochter, in the quhilk wyffis tym he conquest a
lande within your saide burgh ; and efter hir decesse maryet ane vthir
wyff, with the quhilk he gat sonnys and dochteris, til inquer of the suc-
cessione of the saide lande conquest in the saide fyrst wyffis tym, quhilk
of the barnys succede to the said lande, we ripely avisit of befor be ane of
our nichtburis decessyt, fande and declarit that quhar he hade with the
fyrst wyf douchteris, and with the secunde a son, that the lande conquest
OF THE BURGH OF ABEEDEEN., 27
in the fiyrst wyfl&s tyme the dochter is full airis, and nocht the son, efter 20th March,
the law and consuet of the burgh. And this to your hartly nichtburhedis ^^^•
we declar be thir oure letteris, the quhilkis Altaichty God hafe euer in
his blessit keping. Writtyn and closit vnder our secret sele at Perth, the
XX day of Marche, ye yer of our Lorde a thousande four hunder sexty
and sex yeris.
Prepositus balliui et consules burgi de Perth vestri ad mandatum.
Honorabilibus et magne prudentie viris preposito balliuis et consu-
libus burgi de Aberden vicinis nostris sincere dilectis.
30th June, 1467.
Johannes Robertson dictus Christ super quem Robertus Blindsele
porrexit plegium pro iniusta spoliacione de certis tabulis de Werstale in
botha sua sepe vocatus tanquam primo die huius processus non comparuit
et idio precipitur seriando et pro iniusta abstractione vnius ligne precii x s.
de dicta botha et pro firma bothe predicte xii d.
2d December, 1467.
It is ordanyt be the alderman, bailzeis, and hale consale, anent the
debatis and strublance betuix Willam Vokat and Thomas Quelp, that the
said Thomas sal fyrst syt done on his kne and tak the nakit knyfF that he
hurt the said William with in his hande, and opynly knaw that he has
offendit til him, and deliuer him the said knyf, to do with it that he will.
And, in name of xx lib. to be payit at the saide alderman and consallis will,
and to pray the saide Willam, for the luf of God, til hartfully forgif hym ;
and thairefter to pray the alderman and the consale that thai wald pray
the saide Willam to forgif hym, and that the saide Thomas sail be stedable
to the saide Willam in all thingis that he has ado, and to do him alsmekle
worschip as he has done him lake at al his power. Alsua, the saide
Thomas sail content and pay to the alderman, quhen he askis it, xl s., the
quhilk sal be giffin to the chaplanis of the haly bludis messe ; and thair
attour, because the strublans was done til a brothir of the gilde, sail content
and pay a pip of wyne til amendis quhat tym that the aldermen and consale
chargis hym therwith. And quhilk of thir that forfaltis till vtheris for this
cause in tym to cum, sail content and pay to Saynt Nicholace werk xx lib. to
be raysit at the alderman and consalis ordinans, on forgiffin. And to the
28 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
2d December, keping of the forsaidc ordinans, the forsaide parteis ar sworn be the gret
1*67. Q^\^^ jjj presens of the alderman and the hale consale, but reuocacione in
tym to cum. *
20th March, 1468.
Copia litere burgi de Edinburgh.
Richt honorable and worschipfuU schiris, and wele beluwyt nichtburis,
we commaunde ws hartly to yow : and pleyseth yow to wit, that we hafe
rassauyt and vnderstandin your lettere sende til ws and present be the
berar, making mensioune that thar is a questioun hapnyt with yow that a
burges of your burgh, the quhilk is decessit, hapnyt to mary twa wyffis, and
in the fyrst wyflBis tyme conquest a lande within your said burgh, and hade
with hir a douchtir ; and efter the fyrst wyffis decesse he hapynt to mary
ane vthir wyflF, with quhilk he gat sonnys and douchteris ; the quhilke lande
conquest in the fyrst wyffis tym was vnassignyt be him til ony of his saide
bamys in his tym ; and at ther is now cammyn befor yow the dochtir of the
fyrst wyff, clamande the said lande as air thairto, and to be knawin be yow
to the samyn and richt ; swa the son of the secunde wyff, askande him to be
kende to the saide lande as air til his fadir, prayng ws that forsaraekle as
sic a case has nocht hapnyt with yow in tym bygane, that we walde pass
togidder with the consaile of men of law, and avise tharapon, and to cer-
tyfy yow in write with the berar. For the quhilkis we hafe passit togidder
with men of law, and has commonyt apon the saide mater, beande wele and
rypely avisit, thus we mak knawn and findis, that the douchter gottyn in
the fyrst wyffis tyme, aucht of resone and law to succede to the heritage
conqueist and gottyn in the said fyrst wyffis tym, of lesse than it was as-
signit of befor in the fadiris tym, vt patet in legibus hurgorum in capitulo
vbi dicit de homine habente duas vxores, etc. And this we declair and
certyfiis to your nichtbourhedis be thir presentis, the quhilkis the blissit
Trinite euermar conserue in guid hele and prosperite. Writtyn vnder our
common sele of cause, at Edinburgh, the xx day of the monethe of
Marche.
Prepositus balliui et consules burgi de Edinburgh vobis prompti in om-
nibus.
Honorabilibus circumspecteque prudentie viris preposito balliuis et con-
sulibus ville de Aberdene vicinis et amicis nostris sincere dilectis.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 29
21th March, 1468. 27th March,
Copia litere burgi de Dunde. ^^^'
Richt honorable and worscbipful sirris, ande nichtburis, hartly louyt,
we commande ws to yow with al our hartis. And pleyse your nichtbour-
hedis, to wit, that we hafe vnderstandyn your letter direct til ws, vnder
your secret sele, requeryng ws to certify you be writ this questioun : a
man maryande twa wyffis ; with the fyrst wyf he conquest landis, and
hade a douchter with that wyf ; and efter that wyffes decesse raaryit ane
vther wyf, with the quhilk he gat sonnys and dochteris : the man deande,
and makande na assignacione of his landis til nane of his barnys. The
law and consuetude of the four burowyis in the xxv chapter, that be-
gynnis thus gatis. Si burgensis duas vxores habuerit, etc., declaris that
the landis conquest in the first wyffis tym, sail ramayn with the first wyffis
barne, and richt swa, the landis conqueist in the last wyffis tym, will ra-
mayn with the last wyffis barnys ; the quhilk law we oyse and kepis, and
we consoule yow to do richt. Swa nocht ellis, bot richt honorable and
worschipfuU nichtburis, the Haly Gast conserue you in prosperite euer-
lestingly, bath in bodiis and saulys. Writtyn, vnder our secret sele, at
Dunde the xxvii day of the moneth of Marche.
Prepositus balliui et consules burgi de Dunde vobis parati.
Honorabilibus et circumspecte prudentie viris preposito balliuis et con-
sulibus burgi de Aberden vicinis nostris predilectis.
23cf January, 1470.
Copia litere regis.
Jamys, be the grace of God king of Scottis, to our alderman and
balzeis of our burgh of Aberdene, greting. For alsmekle as we hafe
gevyn to our louyt Jamys Hervy, and his airis, a tenement of lyande
within oure said burgh, with the pertinens pertenyng til ws throw resine
of bastardry, be the decesse of Henry Hervy, bastarde, and Androw his
son, as is contenyt in the saide Jamys charter, made til him tharoppoun :
Our will is, and we charge yow straitly and commawndis, that thir our
letteris sene, but delay ye ger rede and wode the saide tenement to the
saide Jamys, and kep him and his tenandis vnuexit and vndistrub tharin,
alsfer as law will, vnder all payn and charge that efter may folow, deliuer-
ing thir our letteris, be yow sene and execut, agayn to the berrar. Gevin
1470.
30 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
28d January, under our signet, at Edinburgh, the xxiii day of Januar, and of oure regne
the tent yer.
8th August, 1470.
Copia litere regis.
Jamys, be the grace of God king of Scottis, til the alderman and balyeis
of our burgh of Aberdeine, greting. For alsmekil as we haf wryttin
diuerse and mony tymys to yow, be the decrete and deliuerans of the lordis
of our counsaile, to devoyd^ and rede a certaine lan'?e and tenement, lyande
within oure said burghe, to oure louyt Agnes Lilburne, and Johne Chap-
man, hir spouse, and as yeit ye hafe done nocht tharto, in dissobeyng of
our said letteris, mandement, and chargis, and in gret lychtlying and con-
temnyng of oure auctorite and mageste: Our will is, and we charge yow
tharfor strately, and commandis yeit as of befor, ye pas to the said lande
and tenement, and that ye furthwith devoyde and red the samyn to the
saidis Agnes, and John Chapman, hir saide spouse, or to thair factouris,
of all personys and gudys inhabitande the saide tenement, and that ye
halde, "woyde, and red to thaim ; and that ye kep, mantene, supple, and
defende, the saidis Agnes, and hir saide spouse, in the brukyn and joysyng
of the said tenement, efter the tenour of our vthir letteris, direct to yow
thairapon, vnder all the heist payn and charge ye may committ, and inrine
agayn oure majeste in that pairt, deliueryng thir our letteris, be you deuly
execut and indorsit as efferis, again to the berar. Gevin vnder our signet,
at Fauulklande, the viii day of August, and of oure regne the tent yer.
2Uh February, 1471.
The penult dai of Februar, the yer of God Ixxi, because that the
office of belmanschip of this burgh was vacand, the alderman gerd Johne
Sclater pas with the bel throu the towne, to charge the comunite to cum to
the tolbuthe, for the chesing of a belman that war maist habit and proffitable
for the toune. And with the consent of the alderman, balzeis, consail, and
comunite of the toune that war present in the tyrae efter the passing of the
bel, Androw Murray, masowne, com in presence of thaira al and profferit
to gif for that office of belmanschip, for his tyme, yerly, to the common
proffite of the toune, fyve markis, and to do all vthir deuiteis and service
to the toune that ony vthir belman did of before ; the alderman in the tyme
OF THE BURGH OF ABEEDEEN. 31
inquirand gif ony vthir man wald gif mare, and fand na man that wald gif 27th February,
samekil. And furthwith, that beand done, the alderman, in the name of the ^*^^-
toune and of the communite, deliuerit til the said Andro the bel, and chesit
him for all the daies of his life common belman, with consent of the balyeis,
consale, and communite, beand present for the tyme, as saidis. Heratour,
the said Andro is oblist to byde and to remayn at Sanct Nicholace wark,
and al vthir common warkis, for his tyme, for siclike fee as he may half in
vthir places.
8tk January, 1472.
The aucht day of ye moneth of Januar, ye yeire of God m™° iiij™"
sevintie and twa yeris, Androu Scherar, alderman of ye burgh of Aber-
den in that tyme, with consent and assent of ye hail common consel, being
thar present in ye tolbuthe, has grauntit and promittit to Schir Androu,
ye son of quhilum Thomas Andreson, burges of Aberden, chaplan of ye
Rude altar, in ye parisch kirk of ye said burgh, that for his continuacioune
of diuine seruice, to be done and made be him in tym to cum, in Sanct
Nicholes kirk, efter as ye tym askis at his gude diligence and power ; that
ye said Schir Androu sal hafe yerlie for his fie ten merkis of ye vsuale
money of Scotland, of ye common gudis of ye forsaid burgh, togiddre with
all annualis proffitis and dewiteis pertening to ye fornemmit rude altar,
quhilk soume and pencioun of x merkis yerlie, togiddre with ye Rude altar,
ye forsaid Schir Andro sal hafe and joise for all ye time of his life, he
makand busy and gude service tharfor, as forsaid is.
Ye same day, ye alderman and consel has promittit and gravntit til
Schir Henry Hervy, chaplane of Sanct Michalis altar, for his gude service
and continuauioune tharof to be done be him in tyme to cum in Sanct
Nicholes kirk in diuine service, that he sal hafe for al ye daiis of his
life yerlie of ye common purse, and of the common gude of ye said burgh
sex pundis, threttene schillingis, and foure pennys of ye vsuale payment
of Scotland, togidder with all proffitis and dewiteis pertening til ye for-
said altar of Sanct Michael.
30^A January, 1474.
The same day, because thare was na dene of gilde chosin on the
Friday next efter that the alderman was chosin, and that the tyme of his
32 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
30th January, chesing was sa lang byrunnyn, it is ordanit, deliuerit, and concludit be
^*^*- the haill consel present in the tyme, of the quhilkis the names efter fol-
lowis, that thare sal na dene of gilde be chosin for this yere bot the al-
derman, quhilk has had the vse of that office, and intrometting of it hid-
dertilles, sen he was chosin alderman, and he to mak compt therof at the
ische of his aldermanschip as efferis. Thir ar the persons that war pre-
sent in the tyme, and consentit thairto, na man gainsayand of thaim,
Alexr. Menzeis, Johne of Mar, Andro Alanson, Richard of Kyntor,
Johne Wode, Alexr. Blinschel, Johne of Knollis, Dauid Colison, Dauid
Symson, Gilbert the Vans, Gilbert of Chamer, Dauid Menzes, Edraond
Lawson, Dauid Mathoson, and Patrick Badenach, &c.
3c? November, 1474.
The thrid of Nouembre, the yer Ixxiiij, it is appointit, and fullely
accordit betuix Dauid Menzes elder, on the ta part, and Schir Andro
Wricht, raaister of the kirk wark of Aberden, on that vther part, in maner
and fourme as efter folowis : that is to say, that the said Dauid has sawlde to
the said Schir Andro, in the name of Sanct Nicholace, thre futhir of lede,
ilke futhir contenand sex score of stanys, to be deliuerit, God willand, gif
wynde and wethir will serve, betuix this and Pasch next to cum apon the
key of Aberden ; but ony exceptioune, cauillacioune, fraude, or gile, for
the quhilkis, the said maister of wark sal pay to the said Dauid, or his de-
putis or factouris, deliueraris of the said lede, fourty-sex pundis and ten
schillingis of vsuale money of Scotland for the hail thre futhiris, at the said
day of the deliurence of the lede. And gif it sal happyn the said Dauid to
failye in his defaute of the deliuerence of the said lede, at day and place for-
said, as God forbede, than the said Dauid sal pay daly to the said maister of
wark xij d. efter the principale day of the deliuerence of the said lede be
passit ; and in sic likewise gif the said maister of wark failyeis in payment
of the said soume for the saide lede, be the said day of the deliuerence, or
within viij daies therefter at the ferrest, than the said maister of wark sal
pay to the said Dauid, or his deputis, deliueraris of the saide lede, xii d.
daily til his expensis, and nocht to be allowit in the principale somme. Of
the quhilk lede, the said Dauid gravntis him content, and pait of aucht
pundis in part of payment of the said principale somme. And thir condi-
ciones lely to be kepit, athir of the parties til vther has gefin gude faith be-
fore thir witnes, Alexander of Chavmer, alderman, Alex. Menzes, Richard
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 33
of Kyntor, David Colison, Dauid Symson, Gilbert of Chadmer, Patrik 3d November.
Badenach, Edraond Lowson, and vtheris mony and diuerse. ^
2c? May, 1475.
The second day of May, the yer of our Lorde m° iiij* Ixxv yeris, it was
ordanit, endit, and concludit be the alderman, and certane persons of coun-
sale, of the quhilkis the names efter followis, that the offerand and all
vther offerantis to cum, that fallis vpon the Rude altar, and the chaplan of
the Browne croice altar, quhat evir thai be for the tyme, and that neyther
of the chaplanis of the Rude altar or of the Browne croice sail haue sin-
gulare proflfite til ony of thaim, bot that all gudis that ar offerit in the tyme
sal be diuidit evinlie and rychtwisly ymangis thaim. Thir ar the names
of the consel that war present in the tyme : Alex, of Chavmer, alderman,
Matho Fichet, Johne of Mar, Andro Scherar, Richard of Kyntor, Patrik
Badenach, Johne of Knollis, Johne the Vaws, Gilbert of Chavmer,
, Dauid Symson, thre of the balyeis in the tyme, Adam of Crafurd,
William Voket, Dauid CoUisen, Thom of Fiffe, Robert Blindsel, and
of spirituale men, Maister Andro Symson, vicar of Abirden, Maister
Johne Smaler, vicar of Kyngowdrum, Maister Johne Levingstoune,
vicar of Inuerugy, Schir Alex. Voket, Maister William Voket, his
brother, Schir Dauid Vaus, curate of Abirdene in the tyme, Schir
Thomas Dauidsone, Schir Robert Leis, public notar, with vtheris sindree.
Apon the quhilk deliuerence and decrete, Schir Andro, the son of quhilum
Thomas Anderson, chaplan of the Rude altar, tuke in the tyme of the de-
liuerence fra Schir Robert Leis, public notar, ane instrument in the vestry
of the parisch kirk of Aberdene, befor the persons forsaid, or the maist
pairt of thaim, and that this decrete and deliuerence soulde nocht be
reuokit nor gaincallit for the tyme of the saidis chaplanis, viz., of Schir
Alex. Club, chaplan of the browne croice altar, and of Schir Andro,
chaplan of the Rude altar, no nor efter thare tyme, bot perpetually til
indure, &c.
Wth May, 1475.
Copia litere regis.
James, be the grace of God king of Scottis, til all and sindrie our lieges
and subditis quham it efferis, to quhais knaulege thir our letteres salcum,
greting. Fersamekil as it is lammentabilly menit till ws be our louit Johne
34 EXTRACTS FKOM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
11th May. of Spens, litster, the son and ayr of vmquhile Adam of Spens, burges of
^*^^- our burgh of Aberdene, that throw auentur of his craft and vtherways he
is sa tensalit in gudis, that he is nocht of povar to pay certane dettis and
soumes of money awing be him to certane personis within oure realme ;
and in hope that, be diligently labour and travale, ta recouer agane in gudis
to outred and pay the saidis dettis and sowmes of money, we haue of our
speciale grace and fauouris thairfor respect, and be thir our letteres spe-
cially respectis, the saide Johne his landis and gudis quhatsomeuer to be
vncompellit, vndistrengeit, vnarrestit, vnvexit, and vndistrublit be ony juge
spirituale or temporal for the said dettis or sowmes of money forsaids for
the space of a yer nixt and immediate following the date of thir our letteris.
Quharfor we charge straitly and commandis all and sindrie our lieges and
subdities forsaidis, baith spiritual and temporal, that nane of you tak
vpon hand to cal, arrest, distrenye, vex, inquiet, or distruble the said
Johne in his person, landis or gudis, for the said dettis or soumes of
money awing be him to quhatsumeur persones, induring the tyme and
space of a yer aboue exprimit, vndir all the hiest pain, charge, and of-
fens ye may commit and inrin again ws in that part. Given vnder our
priuie sele, at Edinburgh, the xi day of Mali, and of our regne the xv
yer. James R.
17 th September, 1475.
Item, Alexander of Chavmer, than alderman, and the consel has or-
danit and assignit, at the request and instans of Schir Henry Hervy, that
his said pensioune of this toun salbe pait til him yerly of ye Justice Myln,
&c. Act xxvij die Septembris anno, Ixxv.
30th May, 1476.
Copia liters regis penes comitem de Mar presentate ex parte eiusdem
et perlecte in ipsius presentia coram tota communitate in pretorio
penultim die Mail anno Ixxvi asserente vnanimi voce eandem literam
in omnibus secundum tenorem et continenciam eiusdem et mandati
regis adimplere &c.
James, be the grace of God king of Scottis, til the alderman, balleis, con-
sale, and communitie of our burgh of Aberdene, greting : Forsamekil as our
derest bruthir, Johne Earle of Marr, reparis and residis diuerse tymes quietly
in oure said burgh of Aberdene, oure wil is, and we exhort and praise
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 35
you, and also straitlie commandis and chargis that, in al tymes tocum, 30th May,
ye assist to our said bruthir, and, for the souerite and keping of his ^^^^'
person, ye redely rise with him quhat tyme he chargis you, in the ac-
tionis and querrellis that he happinis to haue ado within our said burghe,
for we haue gevin him speciale charge and command to supple and de-
fend you in oure absence agane ony persons that wald oppress or iniure
you in ony wise. And this on na wise ye leue vndone, as ye wil haue
singulare thank of ws, and vndir al paine and charge that efter may fol-
low. Geuin vnder our priuie seil, at Edinburgh the xix day of Aprile,
and of our regne the xvi yer. James R.
I4th April, 1477.
The same dai, the alderman proponit to the hale consale, and communite
belanging the biging of the qveyr, schawand the thankis and kyndnis that
ray lord of Aberden has profferit, for the quhilkis the alderman, consale, and
communitee forsaidis hes grantit to the biging of the qveyr al feis of alder-
man, balyeis, dene of gilde, abbot, and priour of this burgh, with the com-
mon gude, and al vtheris proffitis that may be gottin for sevyn yeris to cum,
and mare gif it nedis, be the sight of thir personis vnder writin : that is to
say, Andro Scherar, alderman, Alexander of Chavmer, Alexander Meignes,
Johne of Mar, Johns of KnoUis, Dauid Colison, Thomas of Fife, Alex-
ander Rede, and Alexander Howison, quhilkis personis sal haue ful com-
missione vnder the commoune seil of the said burgh.
I5tk September, 1477.
Item, the same day, it is ordanit and decretit be the alderman and con-
sale, for the wphalding of diuine seruise, daily to be made in the qweyr and
kirk of Aberden, that Wilyam Yong, ane of the clerkis, sal haue the quarter
of the Galowgate til his fee for this instant, and Richard Boyl the quarter of
the Castelgate, and quhilk of the said quarteris is better than vther to be
made elike to thaim be the sycht of the alderman and consale, and Adam
Strath til haue the Schipraw, with the Grene, and Andro Ettale, the ferd
clerc, sal hafe the Gaistraw, with the Sculehil.
I8th September, 1477.
The same dai thir personis of the consale vnderwritin, and vthir pairt of
the gilde of thes burgh : that is to say, Johne of Marr, Robert of Culan,
36 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
18th Sept.. Dauid Syrason, Alexander Howison, Thomas of Chawraer, Alexander
^*^- Rede, Gilbert the Vause, John the Vans, Thomas Prat, William the Hay,
James Cuming, Dauid Kyntor, Dauid Matheson, Adam of Craufurd, and
Angus Ihoneson, has consentit and ordanit that Alexander of Chavmyr,
alderman, be continevit vpper and principale maister of wark of the biging
of Sanct Nicholace qveyr for twa yeris to cum ; and that Schir Andro
Wricht, or ony vther that ressavis ye siluer, procurit, and pertening to the
said wark, sal mak compt thairof to the said Alexander of Chavmer, and he
to be responsale and dettour thairfor to the toune.
7th October, 1477.
The vii day of October, yer of God m" iiijp Ixxvii, Alexander of
Chawmer, alderman, with consent and deliuerence of the hail consale, na
man ganestandand, has gevin and grantit to the beging of the qweyr, ay
and quhil it be fuUely bigit and complete, that thare sal be takyn of the
wattir of Done fourty and aucht pundis yerly, and of the wattir of Crvis
yerly twelf pundis. Alsua, yerly, of the procuracione of Sanct Nicolace
kirk, twenty pundis, quhil the forsaid qveyr be fuUely bigit and complete
as said is. And this is grantit and deliuerit with consent of the hail co-
munite.
lOth October, 1477.
Item, that the alderman, and a certaine of the consale with him, pass
through the toune to see the venalis that are closit, and that thai ger thaim
be red and oppinnyt as thai think expedient and spedeful.
lOth January, 1479.
The samyn dai, Schir Walter Yung, chaplan, is oblist, be the faith of
his body, til the alderman and consale before writin, that alslang as he
gettis ten markis of gude payment yerly, and fyve dais met in the oulk, he
sal remain and mak sic service in the kirk as he can or may do at his gudely
power, and alslang as it likis the toune til hald him. And gif he failyeis
in ony service making, he sal be correkit be the sicht of the alderman,
balleis, and counsale of this burgh, &c.
lih June, 1479.
The samyn dai, the aldirman and the consal, at the instance of our soueran
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 37
lordis lettres, my Lord of Aberdenis lettres, and of Maister Alexander 7th June,
Ingliss, chansler of Aberdenis lettres of request, bas grantit and promittit ^*^^'
til Maister Thomas Strathachin, maister of the grammar scules of Abir-
dene, that he sal hafe yerly, of the common gude of this toune, fyve pundis
of the vsual payment of Scotland, ay and quhil he be promovit til a service
within the kirk of Sanct Nicholess of Abirdene. And that the alderman
that sal be for the tyme sal ger him be content and payit therof yerly, the
sade maistre makand diligent and gude service for the informacion and
instructioun of the barnyis at his gudely power. Writin the vii day of June
the yer forssaid.
I3th September, 1479.
The samyn day, the alderman, consel, and communite, has grantit to
Sande Cowtis, for the mending of the causais and the guttaris of the toune
and to halde al the gatis of the toune clene, that al men may haf honest and
clene passage throuch all the toune, of ilka fyre house a penny, and of al
vtheris, outeburges, and inburgessis, and indwellaris, havand chavmer or
house, a penny, to be pait twyse in the yer, Mertymes and Witsonday ; the
tane half of the toune peyand the tane half at Mertymes, and the vthir half
of the toune payand the tothir half at Witsonday.
17th March, 1480.
The samyn day, it wes concludit and ordanit be the consale and diuerse
of the comunite, anent the making of the fossis aboute the toun, that quhat-
sumeuer he be, indwellar of this burgh, that beis obstant and contrar to the
making thairof, sa fer as pertenis til ilkane to do, that the alderman and
balyeis, be the sycht of certan of the consale, sal cause the samyn fossis to be
made apon the costis and expenses of the gainstandaris of the said ordinance.
2d April, 1481.
lohne of Knollis, Thomas Fife, Thomas Prat, Dauid Symson, Alex-
ander Howison, Andro Murray, elder, and Gilbert the Vans, ar chosin, for
til devise, see, and prouide for the making of the fossis, and performing of
the walling of this toune, for the strinthing of the sammyn. Devisit, ordanit,
and concludit, be the alderman, balyeis, and consale of this burgh, with
consent and assent of the hale communite, being warnit be the bel.
38 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
2i8t May. 21 5^ May, 1481.
^*^^- xxi die Maii anno quo supra. The alderman, bailyeis, consal, and
comunitie, has ordanit and concludit that the hawyne sal be closit and lokyt
in al guidly hast. For the quhilkis thai haue ordande a taxt til be rasit of
al inhabitant the towne, to the quantite and avale of it that will make the
costis thairvpoun.
^Ith June, 1481.
The xxvii day of Junij. It is ordinit be the alderman, balyes, consel, and
coraunite, that quha at remouis his gudis owt of the town, or at passis him-
self fra the defens of the towne, his gudis sal be achet, himself benist for
yer and day, and his tak, gif he has ony, sal be fra him for al his termis
at he has thaim, and his house to be tane downe efter, as it is statut in
commond law.
\Qth May, 1483.
The xvj day of May, yer forsaid, it is appoyntit and accordit betuixt
Robert Blindsel, alderman of Abirden, and Dauid Menzis, elder, maister
of the kirk wark of the sarayn burgh, on the ta pairt, and John Alanson,
maister of a bote of Dysart, on the tother part : That is to say, the said
Johne Alanson has saulde to the kirk wark of the said burgh his said bote
ful of lyme, alsraekle as scho may gudely fuyr for xvj s. the chalder, to be
brocht heir to the key of Aberden alssune gudely as wynd and wedder wil
serue him thairto ; for the quhilk lyme, the said Johne Alanson grantis him
til half resuit fra the said master of the kirk wark xxij s. j d., in pairt of pay-
ment ; and John the Vaus, elder, and Wilyam Moyses ar oblist to releve
the said master of wark of xii d. of ilke chalder, as for ten chalder ; and the
said Johne Alanson sal be payt for the said lyme alssune as he makis de-
liuerence of the samen but fraude or gile. To the quhilkis bayth the parties
ar oblist be ye faith of thair bodiis, witnes heirof Thomas Fife, Johne of
Culan, Dauid Menzes yonger, Alexander Rede, Dauid Symson, Gilbert
Waus, Andro Wenton, and vtheirs diuerse.
21th June, 1483.
The xxvii dai of June, yer Ixxxiii, it was rehersit be Dauid Menzes,
master of the kirk wark, that it was appoyntit, decretit in lenterm last
by past, the tym of the aldermannis being in Edinburgh, at the par-
OF THE BLKGH OF ABERDEEN. 39
liament, betuix the masownys of the luge: that is to say, Richard An- 27th June,
cram, Andro Murray, James of Barry, Johne Russal, Johne of Kyn- ^'^^'
drumy, and Matho Wrycht, efter that thai war frendit and accordit
vpon certane debate and controuersy betuix thairae, that gif ony tym
tecum thairefter ony of thaim offendit til vther, that war fundin in a
faute, for the first faute, he suld gif xx s. to Sanct Nicholace wark vn-
forgevin, and for the second faute, gif thai fautyt agane, xl s. ; and, gif
thai fautit the thrid tym, to be excludit out of the luge as a common for-
fautour. The quhilk ordinance, ye masownis forsaidis has ratifiit and
approvit this samyn day, before ye alderman and consel, and newlingis
oblist thame til obserue the samyn be the faith of thare bodiis.
I3tk January^ 1484.
The xiii dai of Januar, the yer of God Ixxxiiij, the alderman,
consaile, and communite of Aberdene, for the obseruing and keping of
thair actis made of before, and for the concord betuix Schir Andro Gray,
and Schir Walter Young, chaplanis, anent the debate movit apon the
altarage of Sanct Michale, and for the implesure of my lord of Erol, and
fulfilling of his request, with the consent of the said Schir Andro Gray,
thai ordane and grauntis that the said Schir Walter sal haif four merks
of the altar of Sanct Michale yeirlie, in pensioune, ay and quhill he be
promovit to ane chaplanry, or seruice of ten merkis or aboue, and salbe
maid sickir thairof in the best and maist autentik forme that can be de-
visit ; and gif Schir Andro Gray makis the said Schir Walter sickir of
the seruice of sex merkis, quhilk he has at Sanct Ninianis altar, or of
ony vther sex merkis for seruice to be done be the said Schir Walter,
the said Schir Andro salbe relevit and free of the said yearly pensioun
of four merkis ; and attour the said Schir Walter sal haf of the towne
the keping of the ferdyne, and twa merks yeirlie, tharfor ; and also of
the commoun gude of the tonne yerly, vther twa merkis, and sal haf the
common seil gevin til him thairuppon for sickernes, quhil he be promowit
til ane service or chaplanry of ten merkis as said is, and sal haf the com-
mon seil of the craft and first chaplanery that sal happin to vaik, at the
presentation or gift of the toune, of ten merkis or aboue. And for this,
the said Schir Walter is oblist to remain and mak seruice in the qvere
daily, at matynis, hiemesse, and evinsang, and sail nocht absent him thair-
fra, without ane lachful or sufficient excusacioun, that salbe sene reson-
40 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th January, able to the alderman and consale of the toun. And gif he at ony tyme
^^*' wilfully absentis him fra his seruice, as said is, without licence of the
toune and resonabil excusacioun, that be notourlie knawin be the toune,
than the said pensionis sal vaik, and be at the disposicion of the giffaris.
And the alderman, consale, and communitie forsaids hes ordanit and as-
signit the twa merkis yeirlie for the keping of the ferding to be pait to the
said Schir Walter, be the handis of thare maister of kirk wark, being for
the tym ; and the tuthir twa merkis to be rasit yeirlie of thair malis of
Rubislaw, at twa vsuale termes of the yere, Witsunday and Mertymes
in wynter, be evinly porcionis.
30th January i 1484.
The penult dai of Januar, yer forsaid, the consail and hail communite
of Abirdene beand gadderit in the tolboothe, hes grantit with a consent
ordanit and statute, that all nlchtburis and inhabitantis of this burgh sal,
in tyme tocum, haf thare wauppinis and armis, swerdis, axis, cellattis, and
vthir fenssable geer, redy besyde thaim in thair buthis and houssis, and
cum with thaim to the alderman, bailies, or seriandis incontinent, quhen
thai see or heris thaim or ony of thaim myster helpe or supple in thare
oflSce, doing for the attaching and correctioun of trespassouris, and ab-
strach thaim nocht fra their nichburis quhen thai se thaim wawnt of help,
or to be in poynt of suppresion, and naraly be out duellaris the burgh,
vnder the pane of law to. be execute vpon the brekaris of this statute,
but fauour and of the vnlaw to be rasit vnforgevin.
\5th April, 1484.
In the court haldin be the bailies of Abirdene, in the tolbuithe, the xv
dai of Aprile forsaid, it was ordanit be ane assise, and forbiddyn that,
in tyme comming, Johne the Rosse, baxter, sail here na wauppynis vnder
nicht, sic as ane swerd, or vthir fensabil wauppynnis, for certain causes
considerit be thaim, vndir the pain of tynsale of his fredom, bot gif he be
chargit be the officiars. And for the said Johne the Ross, William
Futhes is becumin law burgh that William Vmfray salbe vnscathit in
tym cuming, vtherwayes than as law will. And the said William Vmfray
has fundin Thom. Sympson law bergh for him, that the said Johne the
Rosse salbe scathles in likewise. Attour the assise hes ordanit that gif it
happynnis the said Johne the Rosse, in tyme tocum, to forfaute aganis
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN, 41
William Vmfra, or his broudre Maistre William, like as he hes done of i5th April.
before, that he sail pay v merkis to Sanct Nicholace wark, and that he ^'*^-
sail do alsraekil sted and seruice to tham, as he has done tham gre-
vans, &c.
Ath May, 1484.
The iiij day of May, anno lxxxiiij*°- Maistre Johne Gray, mason, was
resauit be the alderman, baillies, counsale, and communite of the burgh of
Aberdene, in maistre of wark, to the bigging of Sanct Necolace wark,
quhilk has takin upon him to be continuale labourand and diligent for the
vpbringing of the said wark, and to do al car concerning the said wark that
accordis til a maister of wark, baith in labouring of his awyn persoun, de-
vysing, be seyng and ourseyng of vtheris masons and warkmen that sal be
vnder him, for al the dais of his lif, to the finale completing and ending of
the said wark, at al his possibilite and power, the best wyse that he
can. For ye quhilkis thingis to be done he has, in presence of the baillies,
counsale, and communite forsaidis, gevin the gret bodely aith, to be lele
and trew to the said wark for al the dais of his life, vnto the completing and
endinsT of the same. And the said maister of wark sal labour him self, and
ger vtheris masons and warkmen vndar him labour daily and continualy,
efter the act of parliament made thairupon. For the quhilkis labouris and
seruice, to be done be the said Maister of wark, the saidis alderman, baillies,
counsale, and communite, has promittit to gif yerly to the said maister of
wark, for his fie, twenty pundis and fyve merkis, til a propyne in al costage
endurand al the dais that he has to lif, quhil the said wark be complete.
And the day of his entra to the said wark the day of this present write.
And this said some of xxiij lib. xvi s. viij d. yerly, to be pait til him at four
terraes in theyere, proporcionaly, as thai and he sal accord best thairupoun.
16M July, 1484.
The xvj dai of July, yer Ixxxiiij, the consel and diuerse of the com-
munite : that is to say, Alexander of Chamer, Alexander Menzes, James
Lesly, Wilzam Blindsel, Alexander Marr, Maister Andro Cadiow, Andro
Culan, Thom. Prat, Adam of Craufurd, Alex. Forbes, John Glenmaluin.
Wilzam Malisson, Andro Branche, Walter Achneve, Johne Menzes, Johne
More, Gilbert Lethe, Patrik Adarason, Andro Goldsmyth, and vtheris,
has feit Richert Ancram, mason, to Sanct Nicolace wark for a yer, for
42 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
16th July, twenty tnerkis of fee, fra the day that Dauid Menzes pait him the henderend
1484. Qf jjjg fgg Qf ^jj jj^^ ^j^j^j. jjg ^g^g fgj|. £qj. ^jjg ygj. bigaDc, aod thai half ordanit
the ten merkis that suld be gevin for Alexander Howison to be pait til the
said Richert Ancram in his fie.
I9th November, 1484.
The samyn dai, William Kerapty, constabil of Abirdene, comperand
in jugement, has made, constitute, and ordanit, Alexander of Chavmer,
seriand be the deliuering of a wand, his deput and substitute, to ministre
in the said office of constablanary, for a yer next to cum, like as he suld
do in propir persoune.
25th May, 1487.
Item, the saide day, it was statut and ordanit be the aldirman, balzeis,
and certan of consal present for the tyme, that no catall sale haf pastour
of gyrss apone the lynkis, nor nane vthir place one this syde of Gilham-
stone, except the flessouris wederis, and thai to be poundaris, and to haf
j d. for ilkan best that thai fynd thar.
\^th November, 1487.
The xiii day of Nouember, the yer forsaide, efter the belman had
passit throu the haile toune, be oppin premonicioun chargeand the haile
consale and coram unite to coraper within thair tolbuitht to heir our so-
uerane lordis letteris, and gif ther ansuer thairvpon, Comperit Schir
Johne Ruderfurde of Tarlane, knycht, alderman of the said burghe, and
thair producit and schew ane letter of oure souerane lordis vnder the
signet, and his subscriptione as efter followis : James, be the grace of God
King of Scottis, to the consaile and communitie of oure burghe of Aber-
dene greting : Forsaraekil as it is schewin to ws that our letteris ar di-
rekit chargeand a gret part of you to compeir befor ws and our consal,
within XV dais, for a debate of the office of aldermanschip of our said
burghe, clamit be Dauid Menzeis, quhilk office, as we vnderstand, ye
haue gevin for the defence of your commoun profit to our louet fameliar
seruitour Schir John of Ruderfurd of Terlane, knicht; ande the said
Dauid Menzes hes maid a complaint til vs on that behalf of you the haile
body of the toune, sayand, that the said Schir Johne is a masterfull op-
pressour of our liegis, ande for his oppression e thar may nay mercheante
OF THE BURGH OF ABEEDEEN. 43
live within oure said burghe ; ande that he has nocht the said office with I3th Nov.
your consent, hot be electioun of a few simpill personis, his kynnisraen, ^*^'
quhilkis thingis, gif thai be infirmat of verite, ar richt displesand, for
our mind was, and is, that our saide seruitour haue the saide office for
the guid reule and commoun profit of oure saide burghe. Our will is
heirfor, and we charge you stratlie, and commandis that ye, incontinent
thir our letteris sene, pass togidder to your tolbuitht, and avisitly havande
E [eye] to the commone profit of our said burgh, consider and tak knaw-
lege of the said informacione maide apon our saide servitoure your alder-
man, with vtheris informacionis as salbe schawin be him to you, gif thai be
maid of verite, and of your mynd and will, or nocht, And thereftir that
ye send your mynde til ws, close vnder your sells or vnder autentywe in-
struraentis tharapoune, saythat we ma provid for gude reule and go-
vernance of our saide burghe in tyme to cum, and mak the tresspassouris
and contraris of the common profit of the samyn, to be pvnist as accordis
of justice, certifying yow that, be informatione made til ws be our seruitour
and knicht forsaide, vpone diuerse thingis that ar done contrar the com-
mone profit of our saide burghe, we wil mak the samyn to be reformit,
and the priuilege of our said burghe to be obseruit and kepit in tyme
cuming ; and, in the meyne tyme that ye and ilk ane of you, answer and
obey to our said seruitour as your alderman in all thingis, and to the
bailzeis chosin with him as ye dide obefoir as ye will answer to ws ther-
vpone, and vnder the hieist pane and charge that efter may follow, nocht-
withstandin our vtheris letteris gevin in the contrar abefoir, Ande thir
oure letteres be you sene, vnderstandin, and deuly execut, deliueris them
togidder with with your autentik ansueir, to the said Schir Johne the
berar. Gevin vnder our signet, at Edinburghe, the v day of November,
and of our regne the xxviij yer. James R. And efter the said letter wes
oppinly rede, herde, seyne, and vnderstandyne, thir personis vnder wrytin,
that is to say, Robert Blinsel, lohu of Knollis, Master Andro Cadiow,
Jhone Wormet, William Aberdour, Robert Prat, Richard Hile, John
Glenmaluyn, Robert of Buchan, Jhon Mar, Richard Hill younger, Dauid
Kintor yonger, Johne Fechat, Alexander Scrogis, Andrew Murray
yonger, Thome Simsone, Richard of CuUen, Johne Menzes, William
Hay, William Quelp, William Moir elder, Jhone of Kintor, Androw
Goldsmith, Thome of Waus, Jhone Senclar, Alexr. Rolland, tollar,
William Dumbrek, Symon Gardyne, George Brone, Johne Grege,
44 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th Nov.. Donald Strathachin, Robert Craige, Dauid Prat, Alexr. Gray, William
Andersone yonger, Jhone Blak, William Vmfray, Thome Sadillar,
Henry Berne, Thome Gladistane, Robert Evinsone, William Nory,
William Dauisone, Dauid Spens, Willam Sprout, William Scharp,
Thome Litstar, Sandy Alanson, Patrik Adamson, William Verty, Alexr.
RoUand, Jhone Fechat, Edmon Hay, William Gray, Wil. Ranisone,
Ranald Talzeour, Thome Hatmaker, Robert Quhit, Patrik Clerk, Thomas
Fif, William Kintor, Jhone Stevinson, Patrik Andersone, Wil. Giffarde,
Dauid Hile, Dauid Symsone, Robert Slesser, Thome of Name, Androw
Murray elder, Robert Kyntor, James of Kennerty, Gilbert Moreson,
William of TuUideflF, Richard Litstar, William Fywe, Duncan Lam-
myngtone, Sandy Talzeour, Jhone Thomsone, William Philp, Duncan
Smitht, Sandy Baxter, Robert Auchterless, Androw Audene, Sandy
Logy, Dauid Tailzeour, James of Kyntor, Andrew Ancroft, James Ken-
nerty younger, Jhone Atkinsone, Moris Byssat, Duncane Straloche,
Thome Jamesone, an Robert Club, James Crab, Johne Waus, Johne
of Buchan, Wate of Auchnef, Matho Glenmaluyn, and Jhone of Lun-
doris, auisitly deliuerit, the saide Schir Johne being removit, that thai
gaf neuere power, command, nor commissione to Dauid Menzeis, na to
nane vtheris, to gif ony bill of complaint, nor to mak sic senister inform-
atioune in thair name til our souerane lord, nor his lordis of consale,
apone the said Schir Jhone Ruderfurde, declarand the said relatione
nocht trew. And attour thai declarit and schew that the said Schir Jhone
maid nane oppressione within the said burghe apone nay man.
3lst May, 1488.
The samyn day, the aldirman and consaile forsaid, with avise of the
curat and collectour, and pairt of the communite, and vtheris chaplannis
for vphauldin and augmentacione of devyne seruice in ye queir of Abirdene,
has gevin and grauntit to Androw Coupar the haile clerkschip of the
Castalgate of the said burghe, with al fredomes, coraoditeis, asiamentis,
profitis, and deviteis, aucht and wont, perteninye, or may pertene thairto,
with the pertinence in during the tovnis will, for his continuale gude
seruice in the said queir, at al his possibilite and pouer to be done as
eflFeris. To the quhilk the said Androw is bundyne be the fatht of his
body, and to reman and nocht remoyf fra tham but thar licence. And
for his remaning, Williame Coupar, bis fadir, is becomyne souertie be
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 45
his hande. And efteruart, the tone to amend and ek him of his fee, quhen sistMay,
he cumis tile age, efter his gude seruice. ^^^*
The samyne day, the aldirman and consale forsaid, with avise of the curat
ande coUectour, ande part of the coramunite, ande vtheris chaplannis, for the
vphauldin ande augmentatione of devyne seruice in the queir of Abirdene,
hes gevin and grauntit to Sandy Vocat the prayour bell, witht ale fre-
domes, comoditeis, asiamentis, profitis, ande deviteis, aucht and wont. The
said Alexander ryngand the said bel daly, at the houris of twelf at noone
and sex at evyne, as vse is, for al Cristyne saulis, ande doing seruice in the
queir at his gudly possibilite.
The 'said day, the alderman and consal forsaid, with avise of the curat
and coUectour, and pairt of the communite, and vthiris chaplannis for vp-
haldin and augmentacione of divyne seruice in the queyr of Abirdene, has
gevin ande grauntit to Richart Boyle, thar aid servitor, the haile clerk-
schipis of the Gallougate ande Gastraw of the saide burghe, with all fre-
domes, comoditeis, asiamentis, profitis, and deviteis, aucht and wont per-
tening or may pertene thairto, with all pertinence, for al the dais of his
lywe, the saide Richart doing continuale gude seruice in the saide queir
at al his possibilite and pouer as efferis, to the quhilk he is oblist be the
faith of his bodie.
\2th September, 1489.
The xii day of September, the yer forsaid, the alderman, ballieis, con-
sale, and communitie, gathreyt, grauntit and consentt, be thair aithis, to
thir artikilis and opinionis vnder writin, subscriuit with diuerse lordis and
baronis handis. In the first, quhar our souerane lorde was slayne, and nay
punicion maide tharfor apone the treasonabile vile personis that putt thair
handis violentlie on his mast nobile persoune, quhais saule God assolze,
to be for pvnicioun of thay tresonabile personis committaris of the saide
slauchter. Secundly, for the reformacione of the misgouerance of our
souerane lordis tresour and dispositione of his heritage, menesand his
auctorite and crovne, and als for the remeide and souerte of our
souerane lordis mast nobile persone, and of our lordis his brether, and
inlikuase his tresour, strincates, and artalzery, to be putt in souer and
comptabile mennys handis, to the vtilite and profit of our souerane
46 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
12th Sept.. lord and his successouris, be the avise and consal of the thre estatis.
^*®- Asua, that all ransomis tane be ony maner of mane of ony of the kingis
lieges, spirituale or temporale, be restorit and gevin agane. And asua
that his lawis and justice be ministerit throu his realme to all his lieges
equaly, according to the plesance of Gode, commone profit of the realme
and lieges, and grantit thar commone sele thairapone.
16^A June, 1490.
The said day, it was deliuerit be a sworne assise, Dauid Mar forspekar,
that Christane Lilburne sail cum in presence of the alderman, balyeis, and
the haile court, and on hir kneis ask Schir Johne Streweling forgifnes for
the strublance of him vnder silence of nycht, openly glammerand him, saiand
scho said ger banys the said Schir John out of this toune, quhilk the said
Schir Johne wald nocht haf sastenit for j* crounis, and atour for part of
assithment of the said blasfemmy, the said Cristian sail cum on Sonday nixt
to the hie altar in Sanct Nicholes kirk, and proffer j lib. of wax in hir hand
to the said Schir John, at hie mestim, in presons of the hail pepill, at the
will of the said Schir John ; and atour gif the said Cristian beis convictit
in tim to cum for strublance of the said Schir Johne, or of ony vtheris
famouse personis, the said Cristian sail pay to Sanct Nicholes wark x
merkis, at the will of the alderman, and the consale of the toune, and of the
party, the said x mercis vnforgiifin, togidder with ane sufficient amendis till
the party.
nth February, 1492.
The saide day, the aldirman sett, and to ferme layit to Jonhne of Chamer,
the Sondais fische and the mettis pertening to Sanct Nihcoles for this yer,
sichk as he bed it obefor, the said Johne is oblist be his handis, landis, and
gudis to content and pay to the alderman, or master of Sanct Nicholes
werk, thre b[arrels] of salmond, thairof twa b[arrels] at Mydsomir next
herefter, and j b[arrel] at Lammes thairefter.
[List of the Town's Charters.]
Inprimis, in a box of the selling of the toune of the crois, said be Johne
Banerman to the toune of Abirdene.
Item, a charter of Johne Banerman of Ailsik to the saide Johne Baner-
man, made of the crois, said til him fer vij" merkis.
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 47
Item, a plane charter of Johne Banerman of Ailsik selland the same nth February,
toun til the toune of Aberdene. 1*92.
Item, a confirmation of the saidis charteris.
Item, a charter of the kingis of the same toune.
Item, a charter of Sanct Lowrens and Sanct Ninianis altar.
Item, a lettre, vnder the kingis gret seil, to eschete al wol, hide, and
skyn that gais oute of the fredome.
Item, a lettre of the changing of the fayr fra the Trinite day to Sanct
Michalis day de monte tvmba, vnder the kingis gret seil.
Item, a lettre, vnder the sam seil, of the freing of the custum of lenter-
war, futevel, and other sic.
Item, a charter of the assedacion of the burghe of Aberdene, in few-
ferme, vnder King Robertis gret seil. Item, ane vther in the same form.
Item, a charter of King Alexr. of the market, and vtheris fredomis
grantit to the toun of Aberdene.
Item, a charter of King Robert of the landis of Rubbislaw, and of the
Denebume, of the infeftraent made til Andro of Insture.
Item, a charter of King Robert of assise of the ail, and of fisch, rede
and quhite.
Item, a charter of King Robert of the keping of the forest of the
Stocket, with the pertinentis.
Item, a charter of King Wilzara, that the communite of Aberdene sal
be fre of the tol of thare catall in all merkatis and faris to landwart. Item
ane vther in the same forme.
Item, a charter of King Robert approvand al fredomis and richtis that
the burges and communite of Aberden was infeft with of before, with
power to tak, preson, and punyse, al thaim that cumis armyt within the
said burgh again the kingis statutis. Item, ane vther in the same form.
Item, a charter of the same king, of licence to big ane tolbuthe.
Item, a protection of King Alexander of the burgh and burges of Aber-
dene.
Item, a letter of King Dauid, that Bischop Alexander of Aberdene re-
nuncit all procissis made be him anent the tendis of the mylnys of Aber-
dene.
Item, a charter of King James the Third, of ane discharge of the cus-
tum of salmound to the burges of Aberdene.
48 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
11th February, The saidc day, the alderman, and thir personis of consale vnder writtin :
^^-- that is to say, Robert Blinsel, Jhone of Knollis, Thomas Prat, Alex.
Rede, Johne Wormet, Androw Culane elder, Alex. Chamer younger,
Thomas Fyfe, Androw Branche, Williame Blinsele, Johne Blak, Dauid
Prat, Androw Murray elder, Robert Crage, and Williame Kintor,
grantit, for plesour of our souerane lorde, and honour of the toune, to gif
in propine to oure sourane lorde this tyme at his cumyne, in wyne and
crovnis, in wax tene crovnis, and tene crovnis in spice ; and has ordaynit
the balzeis to gif aquitance vnder thair sells of the watter malys and landis,
for the paiment of the saide xxx" crovnis, vnto the tyme the alderman,
balzeis, and consale, efter the kingis passage, sytt, se, and consider quhar
the saide some may be gottyne of the commone gudis of the said burghe to
the frethn of the saide malys, sua that the kingi and the lordis may be pait,
sene the said propine is gevyn in the nayme of the haile toune.
llth August, 1493.
The thingis grantit to the reformacioun of the queir.
The saide day, all and sondrie the personis vnderwritin, has oblist thame
thar ayris, executouris, and assignais, be the fathis of thar bodiis, in the
souerast wyse of obligacioun, on thar awne free will, motyve, benevolence,
and mynd, in the honour of Almyghtie God, the blyssit Virgine Mary,
Sanct Nicholess, patrone to this burghe, and thame and ale Sanctis, for
the remissione of thar demeritis, &c., to content, refunde, and pay thank-
fullie, but impediment demavnd, to the alderman, balzeis, or master of
kirk wark for the tyme of this burghe, the somes of gudis and money vnder
writin, to the bying of the leid and ale vther stuflP convenient for the queir
of thare paryse kirk of Aberdne, and to the reperalinge and reparacioun
of the samyn : that is to say, Alexander Rede, alderman, ane barrel of
salmonde ; Alexander Chamer, ane barrele of salmond ; Alexander Menzes,
j barrel of salmond and j* lentrindoer ; Robert Blinsale, j barrel salmond and
xviij 8. ; Dauid Menzes, ane barrele of salmond ; Johne Colisane, ane
barrel salmond ; Thomas Prat, ane barrel of salmond ; Johne Culan, ane
barrel salmond ; Androw Culan, elder, d. barrel salmond ; Androw Branche,
d. barrel salmond ; David Mar, v s. ; Alexander Mar, ane barrel of grvlse
or salmond ; David Matheson, d. barrel salmond ; Johne Wormet, ane
barrel salmond ; Androw Murray elder, d. barrel salmond ; William
Andersone elder, j quarter of j' lamskinnis ; Alexander Nathty, v s. ;
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 49
Williame Nicholsone, vs.; Jonhe Guge, j d. barrel salmonde ; Thomas nth August,
Mar, d. barrel salmond ; Alexander Angosone, vi s. and j dusan futfale ; ^
Johne Lammyntone, v s., or j quarter of 'f lentrinvair ; Richard Hill
zonger, ij dusane lentrinvair ; Johne Moir, x s. ; Androw Culan, d. barrel
salmond and ]*= lentrinvair ; William Goldsmicht, v s. ; Dauid Theman,
V s. ; Androw Waus, v s. ; Jonhne Waus, d. barrel grilss ; Richard Lit-
star, V. s. ; Dauid Spens, d. barrel salmond ; William Couper, v s. ; Robert
Ovinsone, j dusan of futfale; William Murray, j dusan futuale ; Thomas
Chapman, j dusan futuale ; William Moir, j dusan of lentrinware ; Thome
Gerdnar, ij s. ; Alexander Prat, j dusane of futuale ; Alexander Talzeour,
in Futye, ij s. ; Androw Lousane, v s. ; Cristy Prat, v s. ; Donald Baxtar,
xii d. ; William Cuming, xii d. ; Murtho Blak, ij dusan lentrinvair ; Thome
Smythe, xii d. ; lonhne Tulibo, j quarter of j" lentrinvar ; Androw Smyth
zonger, xii d. ; Johne Williamsone, j dusan futuale ; Androw Smyth, ij s. ;
lonhne Lindoris, iij s. ; Androw Hall, xii d. ; James Smyth, xii d. ; Robert
Flesser, j dusan futuale ; Johne Loremar, xviij d. ; Will. Gray, talzour,
xii d. ; lohne Annane, j dusan futuale ; William Philp, j quarter of j*= len-
trinvair ; Alexander Talzour, xii d. ; William Ranisone, iiij s. ; Richard
Baxtar, ij s. ; Johne Selby, j dusan lentrinvair ; Jonhne Low, smyth,
xviij d. ; Alexander Malisone, j dusan lentrinvair ; Patrik Baxtar Nichol-
sone, XXX d. ; Johne Sanclar, xl d. ; Alexander Crage, iij s. ; Alane Lit-
star, xx^ s. ; Thome Matland, ij s. ; Thomas Waus, d. barrel grilse ;
Richard Waus, d. barrel grilss ; Thomas Menzes, d. barrel grilss ; Mathow
Branche, d. barrel salmond ; Alexander Myrtone, j dusan futuale ; lonhne
Retie, d. barrel salmond ; Walter Atkin, iiij s. ; William Wormet and his
moder, j barrel salmond ; William Blinsel, di. barrel salmond ; Lindesay
Harvalde, x s. ; Jonhe Kintor, iii s. ; Alexander Chamer the sone, d. barrel
salmond ; lonhne Blak, at the Key, xx s. ; Richerd Hill elder, v. s. ; Dauid
Murray, x s. ; Eduard Top, v s. ; Patrik Rede, d. barrel salmond ;
Alexander Chamer of Murthill, j barrel salmond for my lord of Arbrothoc ;
the Widow of Dauid Colisone, j barrel of salmond ; Thomas Meldrum,
vs.; Androw Watsone, ij dusan of lentrinvar; Sir Jonhne Ruthirfurd,
j barrel salmond ; Duncane Smytht, v s. ; George Byssat, d. barrel salmond ;
Gilbert Litster, v s. ; Dauid Steuane, d. marce ; Robert Crage, j barrel
salmond. Ego Villelmus Morison curatus fateor me debentem vnam
barellam salmonum teste manu propria Robert Moir d. marce infra annua-
G
50 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
11th August, tim Johannes Menzeis d. barelle salmonum. James Gordone, iij*" futuale ;
U93. Andrew Ancroft, d. barrel salraond ; Henry Rede, v s. ; Thomas Glen-
nialuyn, j dusane of futuale ; William Gerreache, j prevyse last fraucht for
gif thai fraucht his schipe, falzeing- thairof d. barrel salmond ; William
Lyntone, iiij s. ; Gilbert Menzes, d. barrel salmond; Dauid Blinsel, d.
barrel salmond ; Gilbert Riburne, d. marce ; Johannes Blak, in vico castri,
d. barrel grilse ; Adam Culane, d. barrel salmond ; Duncan Collison, d. barrel
grilss ; Johne Duncansone in Banf, d. barrel salmonum ; Alexander Gray,
xviij s. ; Jacobus Colison, d. barrel salmond and xxv s. ; Willelmus Colp,
d. barrel salmond ; Willelmus Kintor, d. barrel salmond ; Dauid Kintor,
j barrel salmond ; Willelmus Porter, d. barrel grilss ; Patricius Leslie, x s. ;
Johannes Anderson, ij dusan futuale ; Johannes Thomsone, d. barrel guise ;
Jacobus Crage, v s. ; Richardus Wricht, labores pro octo diebus ; Willel-
mus Wricht, pro octo diebus labores; Willelmi Skipper, v s. ; Patricius
Chernside, d. barrelle salmonum ; Willelmus Buchane, v s. ; Thomas
Litiljohne, v s. ; Alexander Mathesone, d. [barrel] salmond ; Willelmus
Lamyrton, ij s. ; Sy^ Smolt, xii lentrinvar ; Willelmus Tome, xii len-
trinvar ; Alexander Hay, xii lentrinvar ; Androw Williamson, ij s. ; Sy^
Gardin, v s. ; Jacobus Gourlay, v s. ; Androw Law, xii futuale ; Thomas
Philp, ij s. ; Dauid Strachin, iiij s. ; Walterus Vans, iij s. and xii futuale ;
Johannes Chepman, v s. ; Duncanus Porter, xxx" d. ; Robertus Ouchter-
less, ij s. ; Willelmus Finguss, xii futuale ; Petras Futhes, xii futuale ;
Andreas Sthevinson, xii futual vel valorem ; Andreas Body, xii lentrinvar ;
Johannes Talzour filius ; Dauid Talzour, xii lentrinvar ; Johannes Stevin,
iij s. ; Henry Bavne, iij s. ; Thomas Hatmalin, ij s. ; Johannes Murray, ij
dusan lintrinvar ; Donaldus Strathin, v s. ; Patricius Clerk, iij s. ; Andreas
Litster, ane cow ; Alexander Chamer in Schipraw, iij s. ; James Crak,
iiij s. ; Wat Philpson, xii futual ; Andreas Murray, x s. ; Alexander
Sanchar, j pece leide ; Johannes Rede, wobster, iij s. ; Syrae Richersone,
ij s. ; Wat Careache, ij s. ; Duncan Hatmalin, xii d. ; Andreas Hatmalin,
xii d. ; Andreas lohnston, xii lentrinvar ; William Stil, xii lentrinvar ; Ro-
bertus Walcer, xii d. ; Johannes Sadlar, xii d. ; Forsy Davison, j dusan
lentrinvar ; Thome Watsone, xx lentrinvar ; Johannes Achneyve, ij s. ;
Johannes Logy, xii d. ; Jacobus Kinnerty, j lib. wax ; Dauid Beu-
erlay, ij s. ; Johannes Robertson zonger, j dusan lentrinvar ; Johannes
Rede, ij s. ; Johannes Watsone, ij s. ; Thome Wodman, xii futuale;
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 61
Alexander Ranisone, ij s. ; Will. Harper and Mage Still, d. barrel iith August,
grilse. 1*^-
21th August, 1493.
The saide day, coraperit ane richt nobile and honorabile mane, Alex-
ander Iruyne of Drvm, in presence of the court, for carnale aflfection
and resonabile causis concerning him, gaff, grantit, and assignit be ane
gluff to Dauid Irwyne, his sone, gottin betuix him and vmquhile Nannys
Menzeis, quhom God assolze, ale and hale his gudis beand within the
landis of Coule, that is to say, xx" oxin, and live chalder of malt fermes
yerlie, togidder with assignation of the tak, for all the dais of the said
Dauidis lyve, and thre hundreth wederis, being within the Fortrie in
Buchane to sustene him at the scolis, as in the instrumentis takin thar-
apon mair fullely is contenit ; befor thir witnes Alexr. Burnat of Leis,
Alexr. Burnat, his sone, and apperynge ayr, Thomas Prat, Androw
Murray elder, Thomas Mar, William Blinsele, Johne Skene, Richard
Rutherfurde, Mathow Branche, Thomas Menzeis, Lawrence of Crav-
monde, Gilbert Ross, Johne Robertsone in Taruas, Philp Dumbrek, and
Schir Johne Striveling.
The samyn day, Alexander Iruyne of Drvm assignit, gaf, and gravntit
for resonable causes concerning him, til Alexr. Iruyne, his sone, gottin
betuix him and vmquhile Nannys Menzeis, ale and haile his gudis beand
in Kinharroquhe, that is to say, the corne, xxxiiij oxin, and thre hundreth
yowis, togidder with the assignation of the said tak for the termes of the
said Alexanderis of Drvm, be ane gluflP, to sustene him at the Scolis, as
in the instrumentis takin tharapone mair fuUie is contenit ; befor the said
witnes and notar.
The said day, Alexr. Iruyn of Drvm, for carnale affection and resonable
causis concerning him, gaff, grantit, and assignit be ane gluff to Johne
Iruyn, his sone, gottin betuix him and vmquhile Nannys Menzeis, ale
and hale his gudis, corne, oxin, and viij" youis, within the Cragtoune,
togidder with the assignation of the said tak for his termes, as in the in-
strumentis takin therapon mair fullely is contenit ; befor the said witnes
and notar.
52 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
27th August. The saide day, Alexr. Iruyn of Drum, for diuerse resonable causis
^■*^- concerning him, gaf, gravntit, and assignit till Agnes Iruyn, his dochter,
gottin betuix him and vmquhile Nannis Menzeis, ale and haile his gudis,
come, oxin, and viij" youis, beinge in Dalraayok, togidder with xxiiij
ky, and ane bull in CoUangy, to opbring hir and mary her ; befor the saide
witnes and notar.
I5th November, 1493.
The saide day, Alexander Stute, Thomas Barry, and Mathow Wricht,
masonis, was conducit and hirit be the aldirman ande consale for ane yer
to remane and abide in thar seruice, batht in the luge and vteuche, ande
pass to Cowe, thar to hewe and wirk one thar avne expensis, for the stuf
and bigyne of thar kirk werke, and thai haue sworne the gret bodely aithe
to do thar saide seruice and werk for this yer, for the quhilkis thai sal
pay to ilk ane of the saide masonis xx merkis vsuale money of Scotland
alanerlie, but al accidents of brede.
22c? November. 1493.
The saide day, the alderman, diuerse of the consaile and com-
raunite present, for the tyme, for the bigin, reformacioun, and vp-
hauldin of thar commone knok in the tolbutht, grantit to Dauid
Theman, goldsmytht, fourty s. of the thre buthis vnder the tolbutht,
quhile the next generale assedacioun, and thane thai grantit him ane
d. nethis fischingis of the furdis maile and gressome fre to him and
his assignay, and ane mark of ane of the saide buthtis yerlie, and
to be taxt fre, for the quhilkis the said Dauid and his assignay sale
deulie bige, reforme, and vphald the saide knok be sicht of the tone as
eflferis.
28th January, 1494.
The saide day, the aldirmane, balzeis, consale, and communite, warnit
be the hand bell throw the haile toune, gathreyt, and circualy inquerit be
Philp Dumbrek, officiar, gravntit and oppinly schew that tha wald ayfaldly
defende thair landis and heretage of the Stokat, batht with thair personis
and gudis, at all thair possibilite, quhilkis is purchest be Androw Wod, as
thai ar informit.
OF THE BURGH OF ABEBDEEN. 53
\2fh Mat/i 1494. 28th January,
The saide dai, the haile consale, and communite warnit, and circualie ^*^"
inquerit, be Alexander Chamer, bailza, ilkane mane be himselff grantit,
and opinly declarit that thai walde defende thar heretage, batht with thar
personis and gudis, clarait and persevit be Andrew Wode, and thir per-
sonis vnder writtin : that is to say, Alex. Rede, aldirraan. Sir Johne
Ruthyrfurd, Alex. Chemer the fadir, Alex. Menzeis, Dauid Menzeis,
Johne Culane, John Colysone, Thomas Prat.
2lst May, 1494.
The saide day, the aldirman, balzeis, consale, and communitie, gathreit
be the premunicioun of the hand bell, grantit one thar aone fre wil to gif
ane contribucioun of fourty merkis to the part of thar expensis that ar
chosin to be commissaris to the defense of ther heretage, clamit be Androw
Wode, thai beand circualy inquerit be Dauid Mar, baize, and Philp Dum-
brek, serieandis, and thai chesit Gilbert Menzeis, William Futhes, Alex.
Gray, Richerd Waus, and Johne Waus, to extent the said xl markis throw
the haile tone, be thar athis and conscience, efter the faculte of thar
gudis.
The said dai, the haill tone chesit Alexander Red, aldirman, Schir
Johne Rudyrfurde of Tarlane, Alexander Chamer of Murthill, Alex.
Menzeis, Johne Colisone, commissaris, to pass til Edinburghe, to defend
thar heretage, clamit be Androw Wode, and ordanit ane commissione,
vnder the commone sele, to be gevin to thame for that mater, and all
vtheris summonce beand apone thair tone.
20M June, 1494.
Jacobus Dei gracia rex Scotorum etc. Omnibus probis hominibus suis
ad quos presentes litero peruenerint Salutem Sciatis nos quoddam actum et
decretum per dominos nostri consilii inferius descriptos data et proraulgata
vtinam intellexisse sub hac forma. At Edinburgh, the xlx day of Junii,
yer of God ane thousande iiij" nynty and four yeris, the lordis of consale
vndir writtin : that is to say, maist reuerende and reuerend faderis in God,
Robert Archbeschop of Glasgw, George Bischop of Dunkeldin ; noble
and mychtie lordis, Archibald Earle of Angouss, Chanceller of Scotlande,
54 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
2t>thJune. Archibald Erie of Ergile, William Erie Marschiale, John Lord Glam-
1494. j^yg^ Androw Lord Gray, William Lord Borthuik, Lawrence Lord
Oliphant, Robert Lord Lile, Johne Lord Drummond, William Lord of
Sancte Johannis ; venerable faderis in God, George Abbot of Dunferm-
ling, Robert Abbot of Kelso, George Abbot of Paslay ; Mastir Richert
Murked, Dene of Glasgw, and secretar to our soueraine lord ; Maister
Johne Fresale, Dene of Lesteirik, and clerk of the regester ; Sir Duncan
Forester, of Skypyng Kinge, comptroUar to our soueraine lorde ; Johne
Ogiluy, sone, and appering to James Lord Ogiluy of Arly ; Schyr James
AUerdes, Provost of our Lady kirk of the Heuch ; and Maister Richert
Lausoun ; anent a terme assignit be a bill to the aldirman, bailzeis, and
communite of Aberdene, to provid and schew sic richtis as thai wald wyse
anent the clame of the forest of Stokat, and the Castell hill, and diuerse
vtheris placis clamyt to pertene to our souerane lord. Our souerane lordis
aduocat, and Androw Wod comperand for thar interesse, and the part of
our souerane lorde, Alexander Red, alderman of Abirdene, and the pro-
curatouris of the said toune beand present, the charter and infeftment maid
to the said tovune be King Robert Broiss, of maist nobell mynde, at lenth
seyne, hard, and vnderstandin, the lordis of counsall thairwith, riplie avisit,
decretis, and deliueris that for ocht that thai haue zit sene the said alder-
man, baizes, and communitie, sal breuk, and joise the said burgh of Abir-
dene, with the pertinence as thai breukit abefor, because thai clamyt the
said laundis and places be wertew of the said charter, ay and quhile thai
be luachfullie put thairfra, and but prejudice of our souerane lordis richt.
Extractum de libro actorum per me Johannin Fresale, decanum de Les-
tarik, clericum rotulorum et registri, ac consilii suppremi domini nostri
regis sub meis signo et subscriptione manualibus Quod quidem actum
sine decretum ac omnia et singula in eodem contenta in omnibus suis punc-
tis et articulis approbamus ratificaraus et pro nobis et successoribus nostris
ut promissum est confirmamus Datum sub testimonio magni sigilli nostri
Apud Edinburgh vigesimo die mensis Junii anno Domini millesimo quad-
ringentesimo nonagesimo quarto et regni nostri septimo.
llth August, 1494.
The saide day, the alderman, efter the warning of the haile tone be the
hand bell, and opinly warnit and chargit ale and sindrie burges and in-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 55
duellaris of this burghe betuix sexty and sextene yeris to be ready weile nth August,
abilzet for weir, with xl days wittal, to pass to the kingis hienes efter the i"*^^-
tenour of the proclamatioun be our souerane lordis lettres maid thair-
vpone.
lOth October, 1494.
The saide day, Alexr. Rede, alderman, this yer bygane, and Androw
Culan yonger, ane of the balzeis, presentit and deliuerit to the alderman
and bailzeis in the court thair acquitance vnder wrytin, that is to say,
an acquitance of the Lord Erskene of j*= lib. ; acquitance of the Duk
of Montrose of xl merkis ; acquitance of xx" merkis of the Covntas of
Crafurd ; acquittance of xxvi merkis of the blak freris ; acquittance
of X merkis of the quhit freris ; acquitance of v lib. of the lard Drum,
for wtheris ayris ; acquitance of v lib. of Grantuly ; fra the coUectouris
of Old Aberdene xx s. for barbouris obeytis ; acquitance of v merkis
of Orknay, and ane acquitance of v lib. of Orknay ; and acquitance of
xiij merkis of the comptrollar ; quhilkis the common clerk lokit in the
commoun kyst incontinent at the commawnde of the saide alderman and
balzeis.
29th March, 1495.
James, be the grace of God kinge of Scottis, til our louet Richard Mac-
donele, maser, our schiref in that part specialie constitute, greting : For-
samekil as now of late our trast cosing ande chancellar, Archibalde Erie of
Anguse, passit, and in our name componit ande appointit with the pro-
vestes, aldermene, bailzeis, and communiteis of our burrowis vnder writtin,
for thir sonmes of money efter following, to be inbroche and pait to ws be
thame, siclik as vtheris the prelatis, baronis, and burrowis of our realme,
dois for expedicioun of gret materis, concerning ws, the commone weile
of our realme and lieges, in great nernesse : that is to say, our burche of
Aberdene, tua hundrethe pundis ; Montrose, fyfty pundis ; Dunde, tua
hundrethe and fyfty pundis ; Brechin, xxx lib. ; Forfair, xx merkis ; Aber-
brothoc, xxx lib. ; Pertht, j'^ fyfty lib. ; Couper, fyfty lib. ; and the cietie
of Sanct Androwis, ]•= lib. Our will is heirfor, and we charge you straitlie
and commandis that ye, incontinent thir our letteris sene, pass to ale the
saidis burrowis, ciete, and townis aboue wryttin ; and, in our nayme and
56 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
29th March, autorite, command and charge the provestes, aldermen, bailzeis and cora-
^■^' muniteis of the samyn, that thai incontinent thankfully pay and deliuer to
yow, in our name, the souraes of money aboue writtin, ilk towne for thair
awne parte lik as thai promitht to oure said chancellar one our behalfe,
to be inbroche be you to ws, to the eflPect aboue writtin ; and, failzeing of
the paiment of the saidis soumes promitht be thame, as said is, that ye
recognis in our handis the fredomes of the saidis burrowis and ciete, charge-
ing the com muniteis and inhabitantis tharof that thai wyse nay thing be-
langing the fredome of the samyne, or recognition standing therapoue,
and quhile the saides soumes be pait vnder all the hiest paine and charge
that efter may follow. And thir our letteris be you deuly execut and in-
dorsit, bringis thame togidder with the said soumes to ws. Gevin vnder
our signet, at Edinburgh e the xxix day of Marche, and of our regne the
sevint yeir.
lOth April, 1495.
The saide day, certane personis vnder writin, of thar avne fre will has
lent and deliuerit this money efter foiling, to pay Jonhe Ferdour for the
making of the ruflF and tymmir of the queyr, and the money resauit fra the
personis that happinnis to haue takis of the tone at the next assedatioun,
sal be allouit in thar gersomis ; and the personis that gettis nay takis sal
haue thar money of the haill tone at the fest of Sanct Androw in winter
next herefter. Thir ar the personis : In the first, lent be Alexander
Chamer elder, xl s. ; Robert Blinsel, xl s. ; Androw Murray elder, xl s. ;
Alexander Chamer the sone, xl s. ; Androw Culan yonger, xl s. ; Dauid
Adarasone, xx s. ; Dauid Spens, xx s. ; Philip Dunbrek, xviij s.; Johne
Thomsone, xv s. ; Patrik Leslie, xxiij s. iiij d. ; Willam Nicholsone, xx s. ;
Dauid Mathesone, xl s. ; John Wormet, xl s. ; Androw Branche, xxxvj s. ;
Robert Crage, xl s. ; William Gereache elder, xx s. ; William Anderson
elder, xx s. ; Thome Leslie, xx s. ; Androw Ancroft, xx s. ; James Craik,
XX s. ; Johne Menzeis, xxvj s. viij d. ; Androw Cullan, elder, xviij s. ;
Richard Lul zonger, xxiij s. iiij d. ; Johne Grege, thre lib. ; Alexander
Nathty, x s. ; Alexander Gray, xl s. ; William Wormet, xx s. ; Thome
Waus, XX 8. ; Johannes Retye, xxx s. ; Alexander Mathesone, xx s. ;
Alexander Menzeis, xl s. ; Johne Culan, xl s. ; Bessy Blinsele, xx s. ;
Richard Hil elder, xl s. ; Richard Waus, xx s. ; Patrik Chernsid, xx s. ;
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 67
Johne Moir, xx s. ; Will. Goldsmith, xx s. ; Alexander Mar, xl s. ; George loth April.
Bysset, xl s. ; Duncan Colison, xx s. ; Robert Cullan, xx s. ; James Coli- ^*^^*
son, XX s. ; Allan Litster, xx s. ; Johne V/^aus, xx s. ; summa huius, Ixii
lib. V s. and iiij d.
The xviii day of Marche, the yer forsaid, it was ordanit be the alderman,
ballieis and consale, that thare salbe gevin to our souerane In xxiii [?] in
wyne, xix of patoune [?] iiii lib. 10 s., xii lib. skorcheatis, xxxvi s. In
wax, V pieces, price v lib. su** xii lib. ; and xl s. in wax, wyne, and spice to
the Erie of Bothuale, to be takin of ther commone gudis of the mails of
the Witsonday terme to cum, sa far as it will extend to.
5th July, 1495.
The fift day of July, the yer forsaide, thir personis vnder writtin : that
is to say, Willeame Gareauche elder, Williame Blinsel, Dauid Spens,
Johne Thomsone, Thomas Meldrum, Alaue Litstar, and Alex. Prat, was
chosen, and sworne the gret aithis, till taxt and extent be thair conscience
and aithis throw the haill tone fywe schillingis and iiij d. ilkan day, for the
space of ane monetht, to the sustentacioun of aucht Inglismen of the Duk
of Yorkis, direkit to the toune be our souerane lordis hienes, and his
letteris therapone ; and also to extent fiwe merkis to Alex. Menzes, for to
pass to our souerane lorde to recouer licence to the toune to remain at
hame fra the weir, to defende the toune fra our aul inemyis of Ingland, and
for the recompensing of the labouris done be him at the last parliament in
the presenting of the commissione, &c.
9th September 1495.
The saide day, Alex. Menzeis, Robert Blinsele, Jouhne CuUane, Alexr.
Corde, Thomas Prat, Gilbert Menzeis, Andro Cullan zonger, Dauid
Mathesoun, Alexr. Gray, and Williame Futhes, was chosin and suorne
the greite aithes, be the consale and communite, warnit and gathreit be
premunicioun of the hand bell, thro the haill tone tile extent i*^ lib [ ]
the haill tone to be gevin in ane propin till our soverane lordis hienes for
his gude grace of licence gevin to ws to reman at hame fra the passage
in Ingland, in fortifieing and supleing of the prince of Ingland, Richard
Duk of York.
58 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
nth Dec., llth December^ 1495.
^**^ Copia litere regie.
Jacobus Dei gratia rex Scotorum Omnibus probis hominibus suis ad
quos presentes litere peruenerint Salutem Sciatis quia intelleximus quod
burgenses et mercatores burgi nostri de Aberdene quam magna dampna
et incommoda hactenus perpessi sunt ob exportacionem lane pellium et
corriorum extra vicecomitatum nostrum de Abirdene in contrarium priui-
legiorum et libertatis dictorum burgensium in fraudem nostre magne cus-
tume dicti burgi Nos igitur attendentes et perpendentes infrictionem dicte
libertatis et huiusmodi dampna nostra et dictorum nostrorum burgensium
Coramisimus et tenore presentium committimus preposito balliuis et bur-
gensibus dicti burgi nostri qui pro tempore fuerint eorumque deputatis
liberam facultatem et plenariam potestatem escbaetandi et ad vsum nos-
trum appropriandi et capiendi huiusmodi bona lanas pelles corria sic extra
dictum vicecomitatum dicti burgi abducta seu imposterum forsitan abdu-
cenda absque solucione nostre custume de quibus quidem bonis eschaetatis
eoncessimus et tenore presentium concedimus dictis preposito balliuis et
burgensibus burgi nostri de Abirdene dimidietatem eschaete eorundem pro
eorum laboribus sumptibus et expenssis faciendis circa eorum escbaeta-
tionem aliam vero dimidietatem dicte eschaete ad nos importare et de
eisdem bonis annuatim nostro scaccario compotum reddere tenebuntur
prepositus et balliui burgi supradicti prout litere potestati quondam caris-
simi et nobilissimi cui nostri dictis preposito balliuis et burgensibus prius
desuper confectis in se plenius proportant et testantur Quare vniuersis
et singulis ligeis et subditis nostris quorum interest vel interesse poterit
stricte precipiendo mandamus quatenus dicti preposito balliuis et bur-
gensibus dicti burgi eorumque deputatis ministris et seruitoribus in omni-
bus et singulis eschaetacionem dictorum bonorum concernentibus et depor-
tacionem eorundem ad vsus nostros vt premittitur prompte respondeant
pareant et intendant Et quod incontrarium presentium nullatenus deuenire
presumant temporibus pro futuris sub omni pena quam erga nostram re-
giam incurrere poterint maiestatem presentibus pro nostra voluntate et
deindi vsque ad nostram specialem reuocationem earundem duraturis
Datum sub magno sigillo nostro apud Abirbrothoc vndecimo die mensis
Decembris anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo nonagesimo quinto
et regni nostri octauo.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 59
3d February i 1496. 3<i February,
The saide day, it was deliuerit be the alderman and consale present for ^*^-
the tyme, for the gret offense coramittit be Williame Belty agains Thomas
Waus, that the said William sail offir and present his crag to the goyf, and
his knyf in his hand, thar to stand at the wil of the said Thomas ; and
atour the said William salcum one Sonday that next comis, in the tyme of
hie messe, in lynning claithis, bare lege, fute, and hede, with ane louse
govne, and j candill of ane pond of wax in his hande, and his dravn knyf
in his tother hand, offering the candill to haly kirk, and the knyf to the
said Thomas, in takin of repentance of the said offence, asking the said
Thomas and his frendis on his kneyes forgyvnes ; and attour the said Wil-
liam sail pay half ane stane of wax to the haly bind licht ; and atour, gyf
euer the said Willame committis ony offense or strubulance to the said
Thomas, or ony vtheris famouse personis in tyme to cum, and beis conuikit
thairintill, he sail pay tene pundis to Sanct Nicholes wark vnforgevin ; and
to the fulfilling and keping of the deliuerance, the saide Williame and
Thomas was oblist be the faithis of thar bodies thar hands vphaldin.
2Sth April, 1496.
The xxviij day of Aprile, the yer of God forsaid, Schir Johne Ruther-
furde knicht, alderman, exponit and schew to the consal how the tone was
vnder summonce be diuerse parties beseking thame to provide for expensis
to the defense of the samyn, considerand thar comraond gudis was exponit,
and atour the alderman deliurit in his compt of his expensis of the termes
of Mertimes bygane, and Witsonday next to cum, extending to xix lib.
and j d.
8M May, 1496.
The viij day of May, the yer forsaid, the aldirman, bailzeis and consale
present for the tyme at the Womanhill, for vphaldin of the auld louable
consuetud, honour, consolacioun, and plesour of this burghe, Ilk as hes
bene vsit in tymes of thar worthie and honourable progenitouris, chesit
Thomas Leslie and Robert of Cullane, coniunctlie abbotis and priour of
Bonacord, tile vyse and exerce the said office this instant yer, and grantit
to pay thame v merkis of the common gudis this tyme tuelf moneth.
nth July, 1496.
The saide day, it was statut and ordanit be the alderman, balzeis, and
60 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
11th July, consall, for the commone profit and sayfFty of the tone, that al fremen,
^ burges of this burghe, corapeir personalie one Monunday the xviij day
of Julij instant, at the Cunneger hill, welbodin and abilzeit for weir in
ther personis, ilk ane efter their faculte and degre, as eflferis, ilk ane
hevand ane spear or j bow, and ane targe, with wther defensabile wapins,
the sper of v elne and d., efter the tenour of the kingis proclaraatioun,
and to remane within this burghe for the defense of the sarayn, fra our
aid inemyis of Ingland ; and euere freman that falzeis and remanys nocht
personalie within this burghe, sail pay viij s. ilkan day for his forfet, to
furnist vther personis to the defense of the tone, vnforgevin.
1th jMne,1497.
The saide day, William Stray, litster, Thomas Robertsone, Johne
Munk, Johrie Litstar, Andro Murray elder, and for him Dauid Murray,
Robert Themdaile, and Edward Top, ilk ane of thame in ane amerciament
of the court, because thai failzeit in the waching of the tone be thaime
and thar seruandis, efter the tenour of the ak maid thairapone abefor, for
the quhilkis ilkane of the saide persones sale pay to the halie blud licht
j lib. of wax ; Androw Murray, d. stane, and Johne Litstar, his mache
ij lib. ; and that thai pay the wax or thai pass out of the tolbuith,
and ij s. ilkan persone to the balzeis for thair wnlaw, and thar ser-
uandis to be put in the goif, thar to reman quhile vij houris efter noone,
and nocht to be lousit out of the goif quhile the saide hour, for nay
request.
nth June, 1497.
The saide day, it was thocht expedient, statutit, and ordanit be the al-
derman, balzeis, consale and communitee, for the sayftie of the towne and
the resisting of the aid inemeis of Ingland, that ale the inhabitantis of this
tone sail make thair fossis and bastalze as it is fondit in breid and lintht
fra the southt hevin to the northt hevin, with help and supple of our
masteris the chanonis ; and that ane blockhouse salbe bigyt of gret strinth
at the hevin moutht. And that euere burges sal inbring certaine land-
men, out duellaris, and not inhabitantis of this toune, efter thar faculte,
and sustene tham one thar expenssis, to remane within the tone als lang as
neidis ; and that nay man borow nor lene geir, vnder the paine of eschet ;
and that euere mane be well abilzeit with defensabile wapinnis, as efferis.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 61
efter the tenour of our souerane lordis letteris direkit thairvpone. And nth June,
that ale burges, batht to burgh e and lande, sal remane personalie within ^*^^-
the burghe, and nocht to pass vteuche vnder the panys contenit in our
souerane lordis letteris direkit thairapon. And that euerie mane haue
thar targis and ale ther geir redy at the premunicioun and warning of the
common bell, vnder the panis contenit in our souerane lordis letteris, that
is to say of tynsal landis, lyue, and gudis.
4th July, 1497.
The ferde day of Julij, the yer forsaide, it was ordanit and statute be
the alderman, balzeis, and consal of Aberden, and approuit be the com-
munite of the samyn, that gif our aid inemeis of Ingland propose and
schepis to lande, that the tone keep tham obscur, and suffer tham to lande
gif it be seyne expedient to the alderman and the quartermasteris chosin
be the towne for the kepin of the burghe and the resisting of our saide
inemeis : that is to say, the alderman, ouirman, Alexr, Menzeis, Robert
Blinsel, Dauid Menzeis, Alexr. Rede, Jonhne of Culan, Alexr. of
Chamer, Johne Colisone, Thomas Prat, William Porter, and Jonhne
Wormet ; and the toune salbe quarterit in four partis, and canellis castyne
for the wechin of the tone, and ilkan quarter to wach nicht about.
The saide day, it was statut and ordanit that ij kelis one the tovnis
aventouris be brocht to the neyss, and al fishear boitis be brocht and
haldin one floit besid the said kelis, to pass and repas for the saiftie of the
mene and landis of Torry.
The saide day, it was statut and ordanit that ale outburges, for thar
nonresidence personalie within the burghe, salbe punist efter the tenour of
our souerane lordis letteris of proclamacioun maid thairapone.
The saide day, it was statut and ordanit, gif the Inglismen propose to
lande one the northt partis of the havyne, that al manere of men, with thar
cartis of weir, with horsis, gunrye, artailzerie, and ail vther defensabile
wapinnis, be redy, and pass to resist thame for the saiftie of our cathedral
kirk, my lord of Aberdenis palace, aur maisteris the chanonis, and ther
familiaris and habitaciones.
02 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
10th July, lOth July, 1497.
148T. 'pjjg gn(jg <jay, it was statute and ordanit that all nichbouris and in-
duellaris of this burghe sail sende thar seruandis with spadis, barrowis, and
schulis, to morne be [ ] houris in the morning, to the saide ness, thar,
be command of the alderman and the officiaris, to cast, &c., and ilkan
housheholder, ane seruand at the leist. And that al pynouris, stebillaris,
and carteris, hevand horses, be thar with thar horsis and cartis to the fur-
nysing of the samyn, and that nay hors be yokit vnder the payne of es-
chetis ; and that nay buthtis be oppin for laboring nor wirking vnto the
tyme the saide fossis be castyne and maid, be the sicht and commavnde
of the alderman, bailzeis, and counsaile. And that nay indwellar of this
burghe pass vteuche the toune, vnder the penys contenit in our so-
uerane lordis letteris of proclamacioun ; and that al outburgessis cum
and reman personalie within the burghe, vnder the penys contenit in the
samyn.
The X day of July, yer forsaid, it was statut and ordanit be the alderman,
balzeis, and consall, for the resisting of our aid ineraeys of Ingland, that all
nichtbouris of this burghe sale inbring and sustene certaine landmen, ilkane
efter thar substance, to the defence of the tone agan the great Mary of
Ingland, ay and to the tyme the saide nauy reraoyue fra thir partis, for
the quhilkis thai haue chosin thir personis, Androw Culane zounger,
Johne Wormet, Androw Murray elder, Alexander Gray, Dauid Mathe-
sone, and William Futhes, taxteris tile extent the towne how mony per-
sonis landmen ilkane mane sal beir, be thar aithis bodelie sworne.
Uth July, 1497.
The saide day, it was statut and ordanit be the alderman and consale
that the balzeis sal wairne the wache nychtlie, as thai wile ansuer to the
kinge and the toune, and the seriandis to be redy at thair commavnde.
And Thomas Leslie sal warne the wache the first v nycht, Robert Culane
the secunde v nychtis, Andro CuUan the thrid v nychtis, and Thomas Fyf
the last V nychtis. And that ale the saide personis sail waik personalie,
and put nay man to waik for thame, vndir the panys contenit in our soueran
lordis letteris directit thairapone, that is to say, of tynsel land, lyue, and
gudis.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN.
63
The xiiij day of July, the yer forsaide, it was statut and ordanit be the
alderman and consale, for the sayfty of the toune, that thir peronis
vndir writtin sale be hedes of the wache, in the first the xiij nycht of
July :
The alderman, the xiij nicht of July. Alexr. Gray, the xxv nycht of July.
14th July,
1497.
Alexr. Menzes, the xiiij nycht.
Robert Blinsel, the xv nycht.
Alexr. Chamer, the xvj nycht.
Dauid Menzeis, the xvij nycht.
Alexr Rede, the xviij nycht.
Thomas Prat, the xix nycht.
lonhne of Culan, the xx nycht.
lohne Colisone, the xxi nycht.
lohne Wormet, the xxij nyhct.
lohne KnoUis, the xxiij nycht.
Andro Murray elder, the xxiiij nycht.
William Futhes, the xxvj nycht.
lohne Blak, the xxvij nycht.
Alexr. Mar, the xxviij nycht.
Dauid Mathesone, the xxix nycht.
James Colisone, the xxx nycht.
Andro Cullane zonger, the last nycht.
William Porter, the first nycht of
August.
Robert Crag, the secund nycht of
August.
The yer of God, j™ iiij' nyntj and
furnist thair cartis vnder for wer, to
Ingland :
In primis. Shir Johne Ruther-
furd, alderman, j cart.
Alexander Chamer, j cart.
Alexander Menzeis, j cart.
Robert Blinsel, j cart.
Johne of Culane, j cart.
Alexr. Rede, j cart.
Thomas Prat, j cart.
lohne Wormet,
Dauid Mathesone,
Alexr. Mar,
Thomas Chepman,
William Kyntor,
Andro Murray zonger,
Andro Murray, cum filiol .
3U0, J
vij yeris, thir personis vnder writtin
the resisting of our aid inemeys of
cart.
j cart.
cart.
Robert Crag,
William Futhes,
Alexr. Gray,
Dauid Adysone,
Johne Colisone,
James Colisone,
Duncane Colisone,
Andro Culan zonger,
Will. Anderson zonger,
William Gareauche,
Alexr. Chamer zonger,
lohne Retie,
Dauid Fynne,
George Bysset,
Patrick Chernsid,
William Porter,
|-j cart.
|-j cart.
j
J cart,
j cart,
j cart,
j cart.
64
EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
14th July,
lohne Blak,
)
Johne Grege, j cart.
1497.
William Andersone,
>j cart.
lohne Murray,
William BHnsel,
)
lohn Duncansone,
Patrik Leslie,
)
lohne Steuinsone,
Gilbert Menzeis,
The litstaris, j cart.
lohne Knollis,
\ j cart.
The cordonaris, j cart.
Thomas Waus,
The flesseris, j cart.
William Murray,
)
1
j cart.
20M October, 1497.
In the first, gevin for spisary to Thomas Prat, xxxvi s.
Item, for wine to Robert of Cullan, Hi s.
Item, for iii stanys of wax to Robert Blinsel, liiii s.
And for the making and treis, vi s.
Item, to the warkmen of the tolbuitht, viii s.
Item, for ane pip of wine to my Lord of Huntlie, v lib.
Item, to the organman, xl s.
Item, til a man that passit to Banf witht ane letter of the kingis, xvi d. ;
the propin was gevin to the kingis hienes at his passage to Sanct Duthois,
and repassage.
The haill some, xiiii lib. xvii s. and iiii d.
Item, to Lord Oliphant, d. gallone claret, ii s. ; and to Lord Gordone,
i gallone, iiii s.
11 th November, 1497.
The said day, it was thocht expedient, statut, and ordanit, be the alder-
man, balzeis, and consale, for the plesour of our souerane lordis hienes,
his lordis and nobles of consale, that all baxteris, brousteris, flesseris,
fischearis, stabillaris, candillraakaris, cordonaris, tailzeouris, and ale vtheris
men of craftis within this burgh e, be weil furnyst and bodyne in gude and
sufficient stuf, ilkan according to thair craftis and operacionis, to the fur-
nysing of our souerane lordis hienes and his lordis, &c., for the space of
XX dayis and forthir, alse lang as his hienes makis residence within this
burghe. In the first, all baxteris to haue bakin breid and flour redy to
baik ; al broustaris to haue brovyne aile and grundin malt redy to brew ;
al stabillaris to haue sufficient stabillis, hek, manger, come, foder, and ale
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 65
vther stuf according thairto ; ale flescheris to haue fresche flesche dailie i7th Nov.,
and hourlie slane and to be sclane ; ale fischearis to haue fische redy, salt, ^^^•
pouderit, herde, and fresche quhen the wedder ansueris thairto ; al candil
makaris to haue candile redy maid sufficient stuf ; ale talzeouris, cordonaris,
and skinneris, to haue werk maid and stuf redy to mak, ilkan according
to thair craft ; al merchandis to haue wax, wyne, spicery, and vthir raer-
chandice redy, to the furnising of our souerane lordis hienes ; and
that al elding sellaris bring thair elding dailie and hourlie to the
mercat.
15th December, 1497.
James, be the grace of God kinge of Scottis, till ale and sindrie our
officiaris, lieges, and subditis, quhaim it efferis, quhas knowlege thir our let-
teris salcum, and, in special, our admirall and his deputis now present, and
to cum, greting : Forsamekle as we causit of our commandment our louit,
fameliar squiar Nichele Ramsay, master of our schip callit the Mare
Bartane, to pass diuerse Raissis of our realme in warfar, in contrar our
auld innemeis of Ingland ; and, as we ar informit, our said admirall and
his deputis wexis and trublis the saide Nichole be thair arrestmentis, and
askis and requiris admiralite of our saide schip, to the gret tribill of our
said seruitour, and in contrar justice, gif it sa be. Quhar we commande
and charge our saide admirale now present and his deputis, and all
vtheris our admirallis and thair deputis to cum, our officiaris, liegis, and
subditis forsaides, that nane of youe tak vpon hande to ask or requir ad-
miralite of ony maner of gudis, wone witht our said schip, fra the said
Nicholl, his factouris, or ony of his seruitouris ; or yit, that ye or thai
mak ony arrestment, molestatioun, tribule, or injur to the saide Nicholl,
his factouris, or seruitouris, in thar personis, landis, or gudis, for ony
gudis wonnyn be our saide schip in ony tyme bygane and to cum, under
all the hiest paine, charge, and offence that ye and ilk ane of you may
commit and inrin agane our maiestate in that part. Discharging you
our admirall now present and your deputis, and all vtheris our admirallis
to cum and thair deputis, of your and thair offices in that part be thir our
letteris. The quhilk we will endur for all the dales of the saide Nicholes
liff. Gevin vnder our priuie seill, at Abirdene the xxv day of December,
the yer of God Ixxxxvij yeris, and of our regnne the tend yer.
I
66 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
23d January, 23d January ^ 1498.
149a »j«|jg jj^jjij jj^y Qf Januer, the yer of God j™ iiij'' nynty and aucht yeris,
all the quhit fishearis of Futy oblist tham, of thar avne fire will, be thar
faithtis of thar bodiis, to pay yerlie ilkan yer to Sanct dementis chapel
werk in Futy ilkan master of the boit havand tua lynis ij s., and ilkan
botismen xij d.
2Qth March, 1498.
The xxvj day of Marche, the yer of God j"" iiij* nynty and viij yeris,
thir personis vnder writtin, at commavnd of the toune present for the
tyme, has lent certaine money as efter followis, to the defence of ane sum-
monce maid vpon the commissaris of the commoun assedatioun, because it
is ane commoun actioun, quhilkis sal be pait to thame agan at the nixt aff
taxt. In the first: Schir Johne Ruthirfurd, alderman, has lent vj s. and
viij d. ; Alexander Menzeis, vj s. viij d. ; Robert Blindsal vj s. viij d. ;
Thomas Prat, xiij s. iiij d. ; Dauid Menzes, vj s. viij d. ; Alex. Chamer,
vj s. viij d. ; John CuUane, vj s. viij d. ; Johne Colisone, v s. ; Alex. Ride,
V s. ; Johne KnoUis, v s. ; Johne Wormet ij s. ; Johne Blak, ij s. ; Wil-
liam Blinsale, xvj d; William Kintor, xvj d. ; Robert Crag, ij s.; Andro
Murray elder, ij s. ; Alex. Gray, ij s. ; Andro CuUan zounger, ij s. Nocht-
withstanding Johne of Cullane pait nocht the said d. mark.
\1th May, 1498.
The saide day, the haile toune warnit be the premunicioun of the bell
and the officers throw the hail toune, and circually inquerit be the officiar,
affirmit and ratifeit the statutes and akis maid anent the kepin of the
toune fra the pestilence and strange seiknes abefor, and hes ordanit that
the porte of the Castelgate passand to Futy be closit, and the port to the
est extendand one the northt part of the samyn gat, betone Robert Blin-
sellis yet, be oppin in the day, and lokit with lokis and keis, and in likwyse
the port of the Gallogate be vpmaid and closit with lokis and keis. And
the alderman, in our soueran lordis name, and be verteu of his office, chargit
and commandit the haile toune to se, avise, and provide for the kepin of
the toune, as thai walde answer to the kingis hienis, and offerit him redy to
do al that thai wald charge him to do thairanent. And the haile toune
tuk on thame to keip the said four portis, ilkane quarter thair avne port.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 67
sufficientlie as eflPeris, as thai wald answer thairapone; of the quhilkis the i7thMay,
alderman askit at me Schir Johne Stirueling, notar publict, befor witnes, ^*^^-
Robert Blinsell, Alex. Menzes, Thomas Prat, Duncan Colison, William
Futhes, Robert Crag.
22rf August, 1498.
Xxij August! anno Domini m" iiij* Ixxxxviij. It is avisit and thocht
expedient be the commissaris of burrowis, viz., Edinburgh, Abirdene,
Pertht, Dunde, Hadington, that thar be direct ane schap clerk, and twa
burges merchandis of fasson, to the Archeduk of Austrie, &c., with our
souerane lordis antentyue writtingig, and perfit instructionis for remeid
tueching the mater of the letteris of marque, and the dukis proclamatioun
tueching the stapill, gif thar ony sic be.
The personis diuisit to pass at our souerane lordis emplessour ar thir, viz :
For the merchandis,
Schir Thomas Tod, provost of Edinburghe ;
Schir Johne Rutherfurde, alderman of Aberdene.
For the clerkis,
Maister Dauid Setone, persone of Fethyrcarne ;
M. Gawan Dunbar, dene of Murray, failze of ony vtheris siclik clerkis
of wisdome to be chosin in thar stedis.
Item, it is avisit and thocht expedient be the said commissaris of bur-
rowis, that devisit remeid may be had tueching the multitud of sailaris, viz.,
that na man saile within j last of gude of his awne, or samekle in storage,
according to the act of parliament maid theropane, vnder the pane of x lib.,
as is contenit in the saide act of parliament, to be rasit till our souerane
lordis wse.
Item, in likwise that the act of parliament be obseruit and kepit tueching
the craftismen, viz., that nane of tharae occupy merchandice and thar craft
togidder, sa that gif thai occupy the merchandice, that thai leif thar craft,
and in the contrar, efter the forme of the said act maid tharopane ; and the
provest and balyheis within burghe, as schireffis in that part, to cersse the
brekaris of thir actis, and to raise the pane of x lib. of the persone brekand
ony of thame alsoft as it happinnis, till our souerane lordis wse, and compt
therof yerlie to be gevin in the cheker.
68 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
22d November, 22d November^ 1498.
1498. rpjjg saide day, the alderman and consal present for the tyrae, grantit to
Sir Richerde Waus aucht raerks, to Sir Andro Couper fiwe merkis, and
to Sir Johne Strathechin four merkis, for this yer to cum, for thar con-
tinuale gude seruice, and residence to be maid in the queir and kirk of
Aberdene ; thairof thai assignit viij merkis to the said Sir Robert of the
Vnermyll, the said fiwe merkis to the saide Sir Androw of the said myll,
and the said four merkis to the said Sir Johne of the maile of Bogferloche,
to be rasit at thar avne handis.
The saide day, Mathow Wricht oblist him be his hand vphaldin to mak
gude seruice in the luge and vteuche to the bigin and furnysing of the
queyr, at the commavnd and sicht of the alderman, consal, and the master
of the kirkwerk, and he sal nocht pass to nay vther werk without speciale
licence of the alderman and the consal ; for the quhilkis seruice to be done,
thai sal nocht [?] content and pay to the said Mathow tuenty tua merks vsual
money of Scotland, the entre of the said Mathow was thairwith that at
Mertymes last bigane.
The said day, Nichol Masone and Dauid Wricht oblist tham be the
fathis of thar bodiis, the gret aithe sworne, to remane at Sanct Nicholes
werk in the luge and vteuche, ther to mak dely gude seruice, and to be leile
trew in all pontis, and nocht to pass fra the saide werk without leif of the
alderman, consale, and maister of the werk ; for the qnhilks gude seruice
to be done, thai sal content and pay to the saide Nichol tuenty ane merks,
and to the saide Dauid auchtene merkis.
I5tk March, 1500.
The XV day of Merche, the yer forsaide, Schir Johne Rutherfurd, alder-
man, shew and declarit how he was to pass for the hambringin of Sanct
Nicholes led to Berwick, and the quyntray was dangerfuU throw this plage
of pestilence, for the eschewin of perell that his wyf and his barnis be nocht
skathit in tyme to cum, that ther was in handis thre scoir pundis of the
water malys of this yer immediatlie bigane, and Johne of Mar grantit the
samyn, and that he had xxxv lib. of the saide yeris maile in his handis, for
the quhilkis he sould ansuer to the tone befor thir witnes, Gilbert Menzes
and Thomas Leslie.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN.
69
8th ApriU 1500.
The saide day, thir personis vnder writin, of thair avne fre will, motyve,
and gud raynde, in the honour of Almyghti God and thair gloriouse pa-
trone Sanct Nicholes, oblist and bande thame be the fathtis of thar bodiisj
ther ayris, executouris, and assignaes, be ale thar gudis and landis, to
content and pay to the alderman, balzeis, or master of the kirk werk of
Aberden for the tyme, thir somes of salmond and money, to the bying
and pament of leid to thar saide kirk. In the first, Schir lonhne Ruther-
furd, alderman, ane barrele of salmond ; Alexr. Menzeis, j barrele salmond
Robert Blinsele,j barrele salmond; Johne CuUan, j barrele salmond
Alexander Rede, j barrele salmond ; Thomas Prat, j barrele salmond
Robert Crag, d. barrel salmond ; Williame Futhes, d. barrele salmond
William Chamer, d. barrele salmond ; Jonhne Blak, d. barrele salmond
Alexander Gray, d. barrele salmond ; William Anderson Jacobi, x s.
Duncan Colison, v s. ; William of Murray, v s. ; Johne Duncanson, v s.
George Bisset, d. marce ; Malcum Crag, d. barrele grilse ; Alexander
Lindesay, v s. ; Patrick Leslie, d. barrele grilse, or the vaile ; George
Bell, d. barrele salmond ; Robert Hay, ij s. ; lonhne King, x s. ; Thome
Chapman, d. marce ; Andro Meldrum, [ ] s. ; Thome Forsy, ij s. ; Alex-
ander Burnat, iiij s. ; lonhne Meldrum, iii s. ; Andro CuUan zonger, d.
barrele salmond ; Master Androw Byssat, x s. ; lonhne Annand, iiij s. ;
Thome Wode, d. marce ; Thome Alexanderson, ij s. ; Alexr. Hay, v s. ;
Andro Stevinson, ij s. ; William Scherar, litstar, iiij s. ; Alexr. Blak, x s. ;
Androw Watsone in CuUane, ij s. ; lonhne Telzour Crukschank, ij s. ;
Andro Mureson, iij s. ; Thome Philp, ij s. ; Robert Rede, iiij s. ; Thome
Wodman, ij s. ; Alexander Brabner, ij s. ; William Gray, ij s. ; James
Torre, ij s. ; Andro Johnston, ij s. ; Robert Futhes, ij s. ; Thome John-
ston, V s. ; Alexr. Hay, litstar, v s. ; Philp Kelly, ij s. ; Andro Hutmaker,
xii d. ; Thome Meldrum, v s. : Johne FuUertone, ij s. ; Thome Name,
ij s. ; Gilbert Patersone, ij s. ; Andro Murray, xiij s. and iiij d. ; Thome
Gerat, xii d. ; Johne Home, v s. ; Andro Louson, v s. ; James Gourly,
V 8. ; William Balhelvy, ij s. ; Dauid Talzour, ij s. ; Andro Michelson,
ij s. ; Syme Richerdson, iiij s. ; Andro Body, ij s. ; Andro Low, ij s. ;
Johne Tulibo, iij s. ; Alexr. Gray, v s. ; Thome Watsone, v s. ; Dauid
Strathachlin, v s. ; Cristy Prat, v s. ; Johne Porter, iij s. ; lohne Wilzong-
8on, d. marce ; lohne Thomsone, d. barrele grilse ; William Andersons
K
8th April,
1500.
70 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
8th April, elder, iiij s. ; Alexr. Malyssone, ane quarter barrele of grilse, or v s. ;
1500. William Lammyrtone, v s. ; Johne Andersoun, d. marce. Apone the
quhilkis, the alderman askit at me, Schir Johne Striueling, common clerk
and notar, instrumentis. Testibus dominis Willelmo Rolland Andrea
Gray Andrea Chamer lohanne Rede capellanis Philippe Dunbrek Andrea
Nachty Jacobo Leis Willelmo Scrimgeour seriandis et acta erant hec in
pretorio huiusmodi.
I5th April, 1501.
The saide day, it was statutit, and ordanit, and deliuerit, be ane suorne
assise, that ale nichtbouris, induellaris of this burghe, and ale alienatis,
that bringis in ony gret salt within this hevin, sale deliuer to Sanct
Nicholes work ane smale mett of ilkan hundretht, conforming to the aide
lovabile rite, constitud, and vyse of the said burghe.
lOth May, 1501.
Item, it was statut and ordanit, that all personis duelland uteucht the
forgait in the bak steris, samony as salbe warnit and chargit therto and
billit be the prouest and bailzeis, furnys and graitht the staris of the for-
gait with arres werk daily as eflFeris, under the pane of ilk persone that beis
requirit therto, and furnissing nocht the samyn of [ ] s. unforgevin, for
the ressaving of our souerane ladye the queyne.
Alsua it was statut and ordanit, that na swyne being within this brught,
young nor auld, be haldin uteucht band of the forgait for ane fiftene dais,
this day being runnyne, under the pane of slauchter of the said swyne,
escheting of thame, and banyssing of tharae that aw the samyne, and als
that all the tovn be devoyen of the swn croffis, under the samyn payne, be-
tuix this and Thurisday nixt to cum.
Alsua it was statut and ordanit, that all maner of persone or personis
that bringis ony byrkis, holingis, gyrss, herbis, or ony vthir grene flouris,
haf common passage, and sal haue fre mony and redy siluer for the samyn.
24^A July, 1501.
The saide day, the alderman, balzeis, and consale assignit to ther com-
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 71
mone menstrallis tene lib., to be taken fra the denys of glide to furnyss 24th July,
tharae to the passage, witht the alderman and utheris honorabil nychtbours, ^^^'
to the fest of our soverane lords marriage, at commaunde of his hienes and
to the plesour of his maieste.
23d August, 1501.
The xxiii day of August, the yer of God j™ v'' and ane yer, Johne
Wormet, Androw Murray, Gilbert Menzes, James Colisoun, Andro Cul-
lan, William Blinsele, and Alex. Gray was chosen be the haill communite
of Abirdene, and suorne ther gret aithe to taxt and extent the tone of 'f
merks and xv crownis, to be gevin to the ambaxater passing to the complet-
ing of the kingis marriage, efter the tenor of our soveran lordis lettres di-
rectit therupon.
The said day, the ballieis, counsale, and communite, warnit and chargit
be the hande bell throw the haill tovne, and be the sergeandis, at com-
maunde of our soverane lordis lettres, for the passage of ane part of the
best and wortheast of the samyn to the fest of our soverane lordis marriage,
and ane gret pairt and multitude of the counsale and communite gathereit
representande the bodie of the toune, and cercualie inquerit be Johne Mar,
and Thomas Leslie, balzeis, and Willeame Scrimgeir, sergeande, grantit,
consentit, and ordanit to set and to formaile lett ane thrid pairt of neths
fisching one the watter of Done for thretteyne yers, and ane sex parte of
thar fischings of the Crovis for vxi yers, quhilks thrid pairt nethis fischings
umqhile Willeame Chamer hede in tak obefor, and Andro Murray the said
sex part of the Crovis for the prouissione of expenses to thame that passis to
the said fest of our soverune lordis marriage, &c., and chesit Alexander
Menzeis, alderman, Robert Blinsele, Alex. Chamer, Alex. Rede, Alex.
Mar, Willeame Futhes, and Johne Rettie, commissaris, to set the saide
fischings for the said termes, and ordanit ane commissioun to be gevin to
thame under thar commoun sele, quhilkis personis suer the gret aithe to
sett the samyn fischings efter thair conscience and knavlege for the com-
mone wele and profit of the toune, and ordanit the kepars of the commone
sele to sele the saide commissiounis ane and raayer concerning the sad
takis, and ordanit to tak the formale of the said third parts fischings of Done
fra the personise [?] or personis that thai sett it to, and fra Margaret of
72 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
23d August, Kintor, now josate of the samyn, gif sche will tak the said third partis
^ tischingis for xiii yers, and pay the forraale therof. Item, thai assignit the
maile of ane half nethts fischings of Mydchingile, extending to five lib. x
s. and vd. in the yer, to the bigin of the kirk werk of Abirdene inter-
changit and assignit for the said thrid parts maile of Done, and ordanit
lettres to be red therupoun of assignatioun and interchange one the seuerast
wyss, and to be selit witht ther commoun sele.
5th November, 1501.
The said day, the counsaile and communite, warnit be the hand bell
throue the haill towne, and gatherit representand the body of the towne
for the tyme, circualy inquerit be William Scrimgeour, officiar, consensit,
grantit, and ordanit, ale thar gressumes of thar wateris, fischingis, and
landis of this assedacioun to be maid, to be gevin to the begin of Sanct
Nicholes werk, na man sayand the contrar.
Ath June, 1503.
The saide day, the alderman, bailies, counsaile, and comunite present
for the tyme, warnit be the hand bell throue the haill towne, at the requeist
of our souerane lordis lettres, grantit thar commone hande bell, with ale
proffitis, to WiUiam Colp, Cristiane Turing his spouse, and Dauid Colp
his sone, to the langast levar of thame, thai doand seruice tharfor, aucht
and wont, and ordanit to gif thar commoune seill tharapone.
"2,1 th October, 1503.
The saide day, it was statut and ordanit be the alderman, balleis, and
consale, that the sagristane sale haue for ilkan graiwe makin and bellis
rigin within the kirk [ ] and vteuche the kirk in the kirk zerde viij d.
And he sale ger ring curfoyr continuale, at hour and tyme, aucht and
wont. At.our he sal nocht ring Laurence at the saule messe nor menyngis,
bot for the nobill and honorabill personis of the town, without leif of the
alderman and the counsale.
23</ December, 1503.
The said day, the baillies, counsale, and communite, warnit be the pre-
municioun of the hand bell throw the haill tovun, gatherit, representand
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 73
the body of the tovun, and circualie inquerit be Willeame Scrimgeour, ane 23d Dec,
of the officiaris of the said burgh, ale in ane voice concordande gef, ^^^'
■ grantit, and assignit to thair traist clerk and nychtbour sone, Maister
Dauid Menzheis, ale and haile thar chapellanry of Sanct Dutheis altar,
with ale proflBtis, richtis, and pertinence pertenyng, or may pertene tharto,
situate within the perise kirk of the said burgh, for ale the dais of his lyfe,
vacand be decess of vmquhile Schir Willeame Crukschank, last possessour
of the samyn ; and constitut, maid, and ordanit Johne Lesley of Warderis,
alderman, Schir Johnne Rutherfurd, knycht, Alexander Menzeis, Robert
Blinseile, Dauy Menzheis, Alexander Reid, Alexander Chamer, Johne
of CuUane, Gilbert Menzeis, James Colisoun, thar commissaris, coniunctly
and severally, tile institut and inuest the said Master Dauid in the said
chapellanry; and ordanit euidentis vnder thar coraraone seill, according
tharto, to be maid in dew forme, to the said Master Dauid, one the
souerast wase be thair coramone clerk.
\^th January^ 1504.
The saide day, the alderman and counsale grantit thame avande, in the
townes nayme, to Davy Theman, foure markis, vsuale money of Scotlande,
for the kepin of thar common horolege and knok, for ane vnce and d. vnce
of siluer, quhilk he put in the common arraes of the tovne, gevin to thar
commone menstralis quhene thai passit to our souerane lordis marriage at
the tovnes command, quhilkis thai gravntit to pay to the saide Dauy.
Eodem die tribus processibus perlectis per religiosum virum fratrem
Andream Storour priorem Carmelitarum dicti burgi nomine conuentus
eiusdem de et super recuperacione proprietatis et possessionis cuiusdam
terre vaste Thome Pyot pertinentis jacentis in vico viridi ex australi
parte eiusdem inter terram Jacobi Pyot ex occidentali ex vna et terram
dictorum fratrum sine domus ex australi partibus ab altera et communes
vias regias versus oriens et boream in defectu solutionis vnius annul red-
ditus decern solidorum vsualis monete Scotie sibi et dicte domui debit! et
a longo tempore non soluti vnde dictus prior petiit a nobis secundum vim
forraam et effectum sui processus precedentis juris et justicie comple-
mentura sibi fieri de dicta terra cum pertinentiis Et consequenter dominus
Dauid Liell prelocutor dicti prioris porrexit plegium in manibus Willelmi
74 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th January. ScrlmgeouT vnius sergeandofum dicti burgi quod ipse prior proprietatem
^^^- et possessionem recuperauit de dicta terra cum pertinentiis in defectu
solutionis annui redditus antedicti vnde hora diei legitime expectata om-
nibus interesse habentibus vocatis et nuUo comparente nee opponente de-
cretum fuit ex ore Alexandri Joffrasoun iudicatoris curie et datur pro
iudicio quod ipse causam suara obtinuit in recuperacione proprietatis dicte
terra cum pertinentiis Super quibus dictus dominus Dauid nomine pre-
locutorio quo supra petiit instrumentum Testibus Johanne Rutherfurd
milite Alexandro Reid Jacobo CoUisone Johanne Ratre Andrea CuUan
Dauid Theman ut supra
I5th April, 1504.
Eodem die accedens ad barrara religiosus vir frater Andreas Storour
prior doraus fratrum Carmelitarum de Aberdene nomine dicte domus et
protestatus fuit in forma juris pro vno annuo redditu xiij solidorum et
quatuor denariorum de quadam terra vasta jacente in le Grene quondam
Dauid Strathin inter terram quondam Johannis Duruard ex orientali ex
vna et communes vias regias versus boream occidens et austrum sibi et
dicte domui annuatim a longo tempore debito et non soluto ad quam
terram accedens nichil reperit distringibile preter terram et lapides quos
balliuos in succulo presentauit in curia tanquam secundo die huius pro-
cessus Testibus Dauid Tailzeour Georgio Tailzeour Thoma Gledstand
et Ormundo Lesly sergeando
Eodem die accedens ad barrara religiosus vir frater Andreas Stourour
prior domus fratrum Carmelitarum de Aberdene et protestabatur in forma
juris pro vno annuo redditu decem solidorum sibi et dicte domui annuatim
a longo tempore debito et non soluto de terra vasta Thome Pyot jacente
in vico viridi ex australi parte eiusdem inter terram Jacobi Pyot ex
occidentali ex vna et terram dictorum fratrum sine domus ex australi et
communes vias regias versus oriens et boream Ad quam terram accedens
nichil reperit distringibile preter terram et lapides quos balliuis in succulo
presentauit in curia tanquam secundo die huius processus testibus ut
supra.
llth October, 1504.
The said day, it was diuisit and ordanit be the alderman, bailzes, and
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 75
counsaille, that thar sal be gevin to our soverane lord in propin, sex par nth October,
torchis, ane dusane of prekats, iii dusane of syis of walx, ane dusane lib. ^^^*
of scorcheatis, and alssmeikle wine as the mester of sellar plessis to tak
till his hienes.
1 4th June, 1505.
The saide day, the alderman, balzeis, and counsale present for the tyme,
for the vphaldin and sustening of dyvine service in the queir and kirk of
Aberden, in the honor of God, the gloriouse Virgine Mary, Sanct
Nicholes thair patron, and all Sanctis, conducit, hyrit, and feet Wat
Strathin, sangaster, to syng and help to hald dyvin seruice within the
said kirk for his mett, with viij personis circualie oukly, and drink and xx s.
of siluer yerlie, ilkan yer, to be tene of ane burges, to be chosin and
gottin be the said Wat or ony of his frendis, to by him ane gown, quhilkis
thai thankfuUie promittit to the said Wat.
9 th September, 1505.
The said day, the alderman, balzeis, counsale, and diuerse of the com-
munite, present for the tyme, grantit and gef to Schir Thomas Lammyng-
tone, chapellane, Sanct dementis chapele, for ale the dais of his lyve, with
ale offeringis, obuentis, proventis, toftis, croftis, and fredomes, pertening
or may pertene therto, quhilkis was vacand and at ther dispositioun, sene
the decess of vmquhile Schir Ingerame Bannerman, possessor of the
samyn.
17 th November, 1505.
The saide day, the alderman, balzeis, counsaile, and diuerse of the com-
raunite gravntit and gaf thar fording and keping of thair jouelis and or-
namentis of thar kirk to Sir Dauy Waus, cheplene, for ale the dais of
his lyve, with ale deuyteis and profitis pertening thairto, for the keping
of the samyn aucht and wount.
2ith November, 1505.
The said day, Philp Belman, be his avin toung graunt, was in ane
amerciament of the court for the sellinge of ane apill for ane penny, quhar
he micht haue sauld thre for ane penny.
76 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
5th October, 5th October, 1506.
150& rpijg g^jj ^^y^ alderman, bailzes, consaill, and communitie, grantit and
assignit ale thar gressoumis of thar fischingis and landis to the bying of
led, and thekin of thar queir, and to be disponit apone the kirkwark, to the
honor of Sanct Nicholess, thar gloriuss patrone.
lOth January, 1507.
Eodem die accedens ad barram religiosus vir frater Andreas Storour
prior domus fratrum Carmelitarum dicti burgi et protestatus fuit in forma
juris pro vno annuo redditu sex solidorum et octo denariorum sibi et dicto
loco annuatim debito et a longo tempore non soluto de quadam terra
vasta quondam Ranaldi Tailzeour jacente extra portam orientalem dicti
burgi ex boreali parte vici eiusdem inter terram Johannis Zongsone ex
oriental! ex vna et terram domus Sancti Johannis de Torphichin ex occi-
dentali et communem viam regiam versus austrum ad quam terram acce-
dens nichil reperit distringibile preter terram et lapides quos balliuis in
succulo presentauit in curia tanquam primo die huius processus Testibus
Thoma Riddaill Thoma Straloche et Normando Lesly sergeando.
13^^ March, 1507.
The saide day, it was ordanit and deliuerit be the alderman and coun-
saile present for the tyme, that thar salbe the par torchis, xii prekats, and
ii dussan assiss of wax, maid to be deliuerit to the kingis hienes, and wyne
be discretioun of the prouest, togidder witht sex lib. of skorgeatis.
7th April, 1507.
The saide day it was statut and ordanit be the prouest, balzeis, counsale,
and communite present for the tyme, that evere fyrhouse within this burghe
sale furnis and sende ane sufficient work seruand, with spaide, schwile, or
barrowe, to help to rede the common loche, quhen euere thai be wamit
thairto be the officiaris or the hande bele, vnder the pane of viij s. vnfor-
gevin.
2Ath September, 1507.
The said day, Thomas Borrow, Inglishman, grauntit him resauit be
the handis of Androw Cullane, prouest of the said burghe, four lastis and
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 77
d. last slamonde, in the name of Bryame Roche, for ten fuder of led, re- 24th Sept.,
sauit to Sanct Nicholes work, quhilkis iiij lastis and d. war schippit custome ^^^•
free. And the said Thomas, in the name of the said Bryame his master,
helde me wele content, and pait, and dischargit, and quietclamit the said
prouest, balzeis, consaile, and communite thairof, now and foreuer, befor
Hary Stot, skipper.
8th October, 1507.
The said day, it was appointit and accordit, betuixt the prouest, bailzes,
and counsall one that ane part, and Richerd Wrycht, anent the mending and
reformacioun of the stepill of the tolbutht, in maner and forme as followis :
that is to say, the said Richerd sail, God willing, mend and reforme the
stepill forsaid eunowe, and vteucht suflBciently and substanciusly in ale
thingis as efferis, and thai sail fynd and dilyuer to him ale stuff conuenient
thairto within the said tolbooth, and fynd him seruandis to heise his tymmer
quhene it is reddy, and it beand suflBciently reformit and mendit, thai sail
refund and pay to the said Richerd tene markis, and sail enter to the re-
formyng of it incontinent, and thai sail pay to him xl s. at his enteray to the
said wark in onwartis.
26th December, 1507.
The same day, it was appontit betiux the prouest, bailzeis, and consale
one that ane part, and Johne Ferdour, wricht, one that vthir part, in maner,
forme, and effect efter following : that is to say, the said Johne sale, God
willing, big, oupmak, and finally end and complet the xxxiiij stallis in thar
queir, with the spiris and the chanslar dur, and ale vthir thingis according
tharto, one his avin expensis, alse substanciusly and honorable as he may,
as thai ar begunnyne, and bettir gif he cane, betuix this and the fest of
Sanct Petyr, callit Lammes, immediat heirefter following, or at the fest of
Sanct Michaell nixt, and immediat tharefter following at the ferrast ; quhilk
being completit, and finally endit at the said day, as said is, the prouest,
bailzeis, and consale sale content and pay to the said Johnne tua hundretht
pundis vsuale money of Scotland, with ane bontay according to thair honor ;
and gif he completis nocht the said wark be the said day, thane thay sail
content and pay to him the some contenit in the first contrak, and this con-
dicioun making nay dirogacioun to the first contrak. To the keping of the
L
78 EXTKACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTEE
26th Dec. quhilkis the said Johnne oblist him be the faitht of his bodie to Gilbert
1607. Menzeis, prouest, in the toonis nam ; and ale somes of money that he
ressauis sal be allouit in the said some, &c.
9th October, 1508.
Item, it is statut and ordanit be the proues, bailzes, and counsale that
the litsteris of this burgh sail wesche all thar clais at the burne passand fra
the west end of the loche to the dene burne ; and that nay litstaris, skyn-
naris, cordonaris, nor craftismen sail wesche thar stuf in the loche, nor
common riuelis of the toune in tyme to cum ; and sail claise thair ventis of
thar guttaris cummande fra thar werk house, and sail distry the samyne,
and cast nay filcht cumand out of thar werk house in to the loche nor riuelis
within xxiiij houris nixt heirefter.
30th December, 1508.
The grant of the salmond and money to by the led to theik the kirk and
tofallis.
The said day, the prouost, bailzeis, counsaile, and communite vnder
writin, of thar avin fre will and motive, to the plesour of God, decoring of
haly kirk, and heile of thar saulis, grantit this salmond and money vnder
writtin, to by leid to theik thar body of the kirk and tofallis, &c. : Gilbert
Menzheis prouest, iij barrel salmond ; Sir Johne Ruthirfurd, ij barrel sal-
mond ; James Colisoun, ij barrel salmond ; Johne of Mar, iij barrel sal-
mond ; Thomas Leslie, j barrel salmond ; Patry Leslie, ij barrel salmond ;
Duncan Colisone, j barrel salmond ; Thomas Wod, j barrel salmond ;
Thomas Waus, j barrel salmond ; Johne Colisone, ij barrel salmond ;
Alexander Gray, ane barrel of salmond ; Dauid Steuart, j barrel salmond ;
Patry Rede, ane franche crovne ; Williame Futhes, j barrel salmond ;
Alex. Malisone, j barrel salmond ; William Porter, j barrel salmond ;
Thomas Vatson, v s. : Dauid Kintor, j barrel salmond ; Johne Kintor,
vj 8. viij d. ; Dauid Errot, x s. : Johne Andersone, d. barrel salmond ;
Androue Lousone, vij s. ; Androw Futhes, ij s. ; Johnne of Murray, Tuli-
def, X s. ; Johne Murray in vico castri, d. barrel salmond ; Andro Stevin-
sone, V s. ; Robert Crag, j barrel salmond, William Murray, x s. ; Dauid
Murray, and his fader, j barrel salmond ; Andro Burnat, v s. ; Johne Crak,
V s. ; Malcolme Crag, xiiij s. ; Patry Gordoun, v s. ; Johnne Blak, ane
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 79
barrel salmond ; William Laysk, v s. ; Gavane Murray, half j barrel of 30th Dec.
grilse ; Johne Arthour, j barrel salmond ; Dauid Fynne, xvij s. ; Dauid ^^^"
Straloche, x s. ; Dauid Lame, v s. ; Mathoue Branche, j barrel grilse ;
Patry Chernsid, j barrel salmond ; Duncan Fyf, d. barrel salmond, or the
vaile of thaim ; Johne Cullan, ij barrel salmond ; Richard Waus, d. barrel
salmond ; Duncan Craik, d. barrel salmond ; Thomas Menzeis, d. barrel
salmond ; Alex. Nory, vj s. viij d. ; Niniane Blinsele, viij s ; Henry Rede,
d. barrel grilse ; Alex. King, iiij s. ; Alex. Bannerman, in Bog Farlour,
V s. ; Andro Barkar, x s. ; Alex. Kintor, d. barrel salmond ; Johne Ander-
sone junior, v s. ; Duncan Gilrucht, v s. ; Johne Quhitcorse, iij s. ; Andro
Grig, iij s. ; Johne Litster elder, iij s. ; Thomas Meldrum, ix s. ; Richard
Wricht, viij dais laubour ; Robert Moryse, iij s. ; Alex. Roche, v s. ; Johne
Meldrum, v s. ; Dauid Bannerman, ij s. ; Alexander Buk, iij s. ; William
Blinseile, couper, v s. ; Dauid Couper, v s. ; Johne Brakhauche, iij s. ;
Alex. Eraser, iij s. ; Robert Moir, iij s. ; Patry Leslie zongar, v s. ; Johne
Watsone, iij s. ; Andro Portar, iij s. ; Johne Wischart, xvi d. ; Johne
Slesser, iij s. ; Richerd Redhed, v s. ; Tomas Lammyrtoun, vi s. ; Duncan
Waudy, vj s. ; Alex. Mortymer, ij s. ; Johne Froster, v s. ; Johne Lore-
mar, V 8. : Dauid Treis, ij Inglis grotis ; Alexander Donaldsone, ij s. ;
Andro Smyth, iij s. ; Johne Baugerscho, xvi d. : William Watson, iij s. ;
Gilbert Litster, x s. ; Andro Edindeocht ij s. ; Robert Joffray, iij s. ;
Andro Brabner, v s. ; James Gourlay, x s. ; Androwe Stratoun, xiiij s. ;
Alex. Tulideff, iiij s. ; Johne Riche, iiij s. ; Crysty Prat, x s. ; Alexander
Home, V s. ; Robert Piper, iiij s. ; Williame Stile, iiij s. ; Robert Red, v s. ;
Adam Wer, x s. ; Andro Gordoun, mercatour, iiij s. ; Alexander Brabner,
ij s. ; Alexander Moresone, iij s. ; Gilbert Tailzeour, ij s. ; Alexander
Tailzeour, iij s. ; Philp of Kelly, v s. ; William King, ij s. ; Syme of
EUone, vj s. viij d. ; Johne Mar in Dyse, iiij s. ; Dauid Crysty, iiij s. ; Johne
Brabner, v s. ; Duncan Porter, iiij s. ; Nichol Baxter ; v s. ; Dauid Strath-
achin, vij s. ; Thomas Laysk, x s. ; William Cheishame, vij s. ; Johne
Ramsay, vij s. ; Johne Wilzongsone, v s. ; Henry Andersone, v s. ; Dauid
Andersone, vij s. ; William RoUand, d. barrel salmond ; Andro Litster,
xiiij s. ; James Strathachin, v s. ; Robert Hile, x s. ; Johne Crag, x s. ;
William Wormet, j barrel grilse ; Thomas Craufurd, x s. ; Dauid Ander-
sone, j barrel salmond ; Alexander Blindseile, j barrel of grilse ; George
Bisset, j barrel of salmond ; Dauid Mar elder, d. barrel of grilse ; the four
80 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
30th Dec.. oflBciaris, j barrel salmond ; Johne Fynne, xvj d. ; William Abirdour, x s. ;
^**- Johne Fechat zongar, [ ] ; Patry Arthour, v s. ; Cutberd Johnstone, x s. ;
the lard of Wardris, ij barrel of salmond ; Andro CuUan, ij barrel salmond.
28^^ June, 1509.
The saide day, the] provest, bailzeis, counsale, and communite, pre-
sentit Master Johne Merschell to the graraar scolis of the saide burghe,
vacand be the decess of vmquhile Master Williame Strathachlin, possessour
of the samyn, for ale the dais of his liwe, and admittit him to the saide
scolis, be gift of ane pair of bedis, with ale comoditeis, fredomes, and
profites pertening thairto.
29^A August, 1509.
The xxix daye of August, the yeir forsaid, it was ordanit and deliuerit
be the prouest, bailzeis, and counsel of the saide burgh, present for the
tyme, that thair sal be gevin til our soverane lordis hienes, in propine,
alsmeikle vynis as it plesis his master of vyne sellar and seruitours to tak
til his henes, to giddir witht ane dusane pundis of schorcatis, ane dusane
of torchis, ane dusane of prikatis, and tua dusane of syse of vax, quhilk
salbe pait of the first and the rediast money thai can to be gottin of the
townis.
M February, 1510.
The said day, the provest, bailzeis, counsaile, and communite present
for the tyme, ordanit George Bisset, master of the kirk werk, cause the
plumbar to pass and ende his werk, and theik the body of thar kirk with
leide.
1th June, 1510.
The said day, the provest, bailzeis, and counsaile, for honour and vp-
hald of Goddis seruice, conducit and feit Sir Johnne Troumbull, sangster,
to serue in thair queyr and Jiirk in all devin seruice, messis, matutinis,
evynsangis, and all vder seruice belanging to ane sangstar, for ane yer to
cum. And forthir, gif it plesit that said Sir Johne to remain, or thai to
plese his seruice, for the quhilkis thai sail cans him be pait yerlie of tene
pundis, sa lang as he remanis in thar seruice, quhill thai be of puyschance
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 81
to mend him his fee, quhilk Sir Johnne sail enter at the fest of Lammes 7th June,
nixt herefter to his service, and licence him betuix this and thane, to red ^^^^'
him self of vder places, quhar his geir was. And this tene pundis to be
vptakin be the said Sir Johnne yeirlie, fra the personis and placis that
thai assigne to him.
30th April, 1511.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the prowest, bailzeis, and
counsail for the tyme, for the clenging of the toune agane the quenys cum-
ming, that the belman pas throw all the hail toune, and command and
chairg all maner of personis, that has ony myddingis apon the forgait befor
thair yetts and daioris, to devoid, red, and cleng the sainyn, betuix this
and Sonday, vnder the pane of xl s. vnforgiven of the faltars, and them
that reds nocht the saymn. And atour comandit the four officiaris to tak
with ilkane of thame twa witnes, and pas throug thair quarteris of the
toune, and ger devoid and red the heygait of al swyne crvffis being apon
the forget, betuix this and Sonday, vnder the pane of escheting of the
swyne of thame that balds the said cruffis, atour the said tyme, and ane
amerciament of viii s. vnforgiven.
4th May, 1511.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, counsaill, and coramunite of the said
burgh, warnit be the handbell and the oflficiaris oppinly throw the haill
townne, gatherit, and circualy inquerit, be Normond of Lesly and Gilbert
Prestoun, officiaris, all in one voice, concordand, grantit, and frely con-
sentit to ressave oure soverane lady the queyne, als honorablie as ony
burgh of Scotland, except Edinburgh allanerlie, and to mak als larg ex-
pensis thereapone as the prouest and counsail diuiss, for the honour of the
towne and plesour of his gud grace. And for the money to furniss and
mak the expensiss hereapone, the haill towne, representande the body of
the saymne, grantit, consentit, and ordanit certaine commissaris, that is to
say, the prouest, Sir Johnne Rutherfurd, Johnne Colison, Johnne of Mar,
James CoUisoun, Johnne of CuUan, and Androu CuUane, to set certaine
takix, fischeings, and landis of thar commonte for the terraes to be thoucht
expedient be the said commissaris, for the sowme of ii'^ lib., under or abuf,
as thai think expedient, to prouid the said propin allanerly ; and ordanit
82 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
4th May. ane commissioun to be maid to the said commissaris, and selit witht thar
^^^^' commone seill. Alsua thai ordand assedationis to be maid and diuisit be
the said commissaris, to the personis takaris of the said landis and watteris,
to be selit witht thar commone selis, for the termes that the said com-
missaris happinnis to set the samyn. Apoun the quhilks the prouest
askit instrument of me, Sir Johnne Sterueling, notar publict, befor Sir
Thomas Bynne, Sir Dauy Leis, Sir Thomas Wricht, and Sir Dauy Lyel,
and the said commissioun and assedationis to be maid one the seuerast wiss
to burges, induellaris of the said burgh.
The said day, the provest, bailzeis, counsaill, and communitie, com-
mandit and ordanit all pynouris, haffand hors, within this brught, to enter
tomorne at the nixt, and clenge the toune of all myddingis, and no labour
to be done be tham quhill the toune be clengit, and ordanit the officiaris to
warne the said pynouris to enter tharto.
^th January, 1512. i
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the prouost, bailzeis, coun-
saile, and communite present for the tyme, that, in tyme cumin, na wal-
caris duelland within this burgh, fre nor vnfre, hing na claithis apoun the
kirk wallis, kirk dykis, nor within the kirkyard, and quha beis conuict
thairof sale pay the first tyme, viij s. vnforgevin, the secund tyme, viij s.,
vnforgevin, and the thrid tyme the clathis to be eschet. And atour, the
prouost and bailzeis commandit and ordanit Wilzam Walcar, present for
the tyme, to intimat and schaw the samyn to the laif of the craftismen of
the towne.
26<A February, 1512.
The said day, Philp Clerk, belman, be his avine tong graunt, was in
amerciament of the court, for passing with the commone hand bell throw the
toune, but charge of the prouest and bailzeis, and of the botismene that
brocht certane oysteris her to sell, and warnit ale mene that wald by of tham
[to] cum, and thai suld [have] j« for iiij d., quhar thai sellit tham for vi d. ]•= ;
for the quhilkis he was ordanit, be the assyse consale of the towne present
for the tyme, that the said belman suld syt done one his kneis, and ask
the awnaris of the said oysteris forgiwnes, and his crag to be put in the
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 83
goyf at thar wyle. And gif euere he passe throw the toune in tyme to 26th February,
cum in sicllk caise, but charge of the prouost and bailzeis, his crag salbe ^^^^'
put in the gof, and stand xxiiij houris, and salbe secludit of that office for
ale the dais of his ly ve.
I8th June, 1512.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, counsaill, and comraunitie consentit
and ordanit that all thar gunnys, cartis of weir, targis, trinschis, fossis, be
prouidit, graithit, maid, and furnist for weir to the resisting of our auld
ennemeys of Ingland, apone thar expensis, and to tak the rediast of the
townis malis to the furnissing of the samyne, and chesit Dauid Stewart,
and Johne of Meldrum with him, masteris of the said artailzerie, till oursee
the samyne, and maik thaim to be weile furnist in all poyntis as efferis,
in all possible haist, and the towne to gif thaim expensis and money to
the prouisioun of the samyne.
lOth February^ 1513.
The said day, the provest and counsaile ordanit Andro Fif, bailze, to
gathir and ressaue xlij lib. and fourty schillingis, to Johne Innes expensis,
to by thair artailzery, of the rediast of thar watter malis of Dee and Done,
quhar it may be erast gottin, and to put the said artailzery tocum about
to the bavin of Aberdene, togidder with the givne powder, as it beis sene
expedient to tham that thai writ to.
\Mh February i 1513.
The personis that pait the money to the kyng of thar artulzery to Andro
Fyf, baize:
In the first, the prouest, xl s. ; Patry Leslie, xl s. ; William Rowan for
himself, Marion Ranald, Gelis Allardes, and William Vmfray, liij s. and
iiij d. ; Alexander Gray, xxx s. : Johne Blak, xxx s. and iiij d. ; Dauid
Fynne for Bessy Setone, xxxiij s. and iiij d. ; Dauid Andersone, xl s. ;
William Futhes, xxxiij s. and iiij d. ; Robert of Crag, xxxiij s. iiij d. ;
Walter CuUane, xxxiij s. iiij d. ; Charles Stevinsone, xxxiij s. iiij d. ; Johne
Arthour, x s. ; Agnes Andersone, xiij s. iiij d. ; Nathon Branche, xxxiij s.
iiij d. ; Dauid Mar, xxxiij s. and iiij d. ; Patry Red, xiij s. iiij d. ; Thomas
Waus, xxxiij s. iiij d. ; Dauid Arroc for umquhill Bessy Blinsele, xxxiij s.
84 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
14th February, and i'lij d. ; the prouost for Johne Colisone, and Robert Waus, at command
^^^^ of Johne Andersone, liij s. and iiij d. ; Master Thomas Chamer for his
moder, xxxiij s. iiij d. ; Andro CuUan, xx s. ; Thomas Menzeis, xiij s. and
iiij d. ; Richard Waus, xiij s. and iiij d.
Summa huius xxxvi lib. xi s. and vi d.
Item, of this somme befor writtin gevin to William Loremer, Ivj s.
iiij d.
\st Marchi 1513.
The first day of Marche, the yer of Gode, j™ v* and xiij yeris, Patry
Chernsid deliuerit to Gilbert Menzeis, prouost, in the townis nayme, fiwe
lib. of his wattir malys of Done, to by thar artilzery, befor Schir Johne
Ruthirfurd, Patry Leslie, Alexr. Gray, Dauid Andersone, and Schir
Johne Striueling, notaris publict.
3c? March, 1513.
The thrid day of March, the yeir of God j"" v*= and xiij yeiris, Thomas
Wod, bailze, deliuerit to lohne Innes, on the name and behalfe of the haile
townn, xl s. of his wattir raalis of Done, to the bying of thar artailzerie,
befor Master Duncan Chamer and Thomas Meldrum.
The said day, William Wormet deliuerit to the prouest xx" s. of his
wattir maile, in the townes nayme, to by the artalzery.
\7th March, 1513.
The said day, Patrik Lesly, Duncan Colisone, Mathow Branche,
Gourane of Murray, and Thomas Watsone, was sourne be the gret bodely
aitht to taxt and extent the sowme of iii" pundis Scottis money, to be given
the gunner now being feit be the haile towne for the space of vj monethtis,
and for the biggin and vpmakin of thar blokhouse for thair artailzerie. And
the forsaide sowme to be taxt and extentit throw all the haile townn, and
takin vp in continent alse possibile as it may be erast gottin. And the
haile towne ordanit and diuisit Alexr. Gray and George Bisset to be
keparis of the said money, and deliuer to the samyn to the said gunner,
and for the expensis to be maid apon the said blokhouse, be the deuise of
the provost and counsaile.
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 86
19th April, 1513. 29th April,
The said day, it was ordanit and deliuerit be the prouoist, bailzeis, and ^^^^*
counsale, that Androw Cullane sail leue als mony ratheris as wilbe scaffald-
ing to the tolbutht stepill.
2c? August, 1513.
The secund day of August, the yer of Gode, j" v*' xiij yeris, Androu
Cullane, Thomas Waus, George Bysset, Jonhne Andersone, and Dauid
Fynne, war chosin be the haile towne, prouost, baillies, counsale, and com-
munite, tile extent and sett the some of xx" scorr of pundis to furnist xx"
speris, ilkan speir to vj hors therof, iij ridand mene, and iij hors of ca-
ragis, to pas with our souerane lord in his weres in Ingland, for the space
of xl dais efter thair cuming to his grace. And the vij day of the said
moneth, the buk of the said contribucion was presentit to the haile towne,
quhilk was set be the said taxtaris be thar athis. And therefter Walter
Cullan and Malcome of Crage, with help of Andro Fyf, bailzie, was
chosin and commandit gathir the said mony, to be distrobut yraang the
personis chosin for the saide speris.
\5th November, 1513.
The rest of the money and salmond awand to Sanct Nicholace, and compt
thairof takin be the provest and auditouris, of Andro Cullane and
Georg Bisset, raaisteris of the kirk werk, the xv day of Nouember,
the yer of God j™ v*' and xiii yeris.
This is the sowmes of money and salraand awand to Sanct Nicholace,
of the termes bigane, to the xv day of Nouember, anno quingentesimo
decimo tertio of thir personis vnder writin, that is to say, of thame that
has pait.
The taxt of the justice air tane of Sanct Nicholace.
In the first, pait be Thomas Wod, viij pund, to James Colisoun, of the
Martimes in anno vndecimo and Witsonday xii°
Item, be Dauid Kintor . . . v lib. vi s. viij d.
Item, be Georg Bisset . . . v lib. vj s. viij d.
Item, be Patrik Chernsid . . • vj lib. xiij s. iij d.
Sowme of this is xxv lib. vj s. viij d.
Item, pait to Sanct Nicholace werk be Georg Bisset, as Schir Wilzeam
M
86 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
16th Nov.. Couper and Andro CuUannis compt beris, of the yeir of God j™ v" and
xii yens ..... v lib. vj s. viij d.
Item, fra Henry Reid, for vpputting of the weddercok of Sanct Nicholace
stepill, as the said compt beris, . . . v lib.
Summa huius xi lib. vj s. viij d.
Summa totalis soluta xxxv lib. xiii s. iiij d.
The rest awand of money to Sanct Nicholace of the water mails of Done
and Crovis, be the personis vnder writin :
In the first, be the laird of Drum . . . xx lib.
Item, be the provest, Gilbert Menzeis . . . xx lib.
Be Thomas Wod . . . . . xii lib.
Be James Colisone . . . xvj lib. xiij s. iiij d.
Be Patrik Chernsid . . . . . x lib.
Be Dauid Kintor ..... viij lib.
Be Bessy Blinseile . . . viij lib. vj s. viij d.
Alexander Irwyn .... viij lib. vj s. viij d.
Maddy Nicholson . . . . vj lib. v s.
Henry Reid ...... xxv s.
Georg Bisset ..... Iiij s. iiij d.
Summa huius j<^ lib. xiij lib. x s.
The salmond awand to Sanct Nicholace at the xv day of Nouember
anno quingentesimo xiij" :
Item, Johnne of CuUane aw fif barellis of salmond : thairof he profurnist
the gold for gilting of the weddercok.
Item, Patrik Reid au . . . j barrel of salmond.
Dauid Straloche . . . . j barrel salmond.
Dauid Stewart .... j barrel salmond.
lohnne of Mar . . . . j barrel salmond.
Charles Stevinson . j barrel salmond restis in anno xii°
and iij barrel salmond in anno xiij"
Sowme j last of salmond, j barrel of grissillis.
Sowme of the money rest awand j*= lib. xiij lib. x s.
Quhilk restis of money and salmond, the provest, bailzeis, and counsaile,
ordanit Andro Fif, bailze, to ressaue and vptak the sammyn incontinent,
and to pay the rest of the sowme of money awand to James Wricht, ex-
tending to xl lib. of the first thairof; fourty markis to be vptakin to mak
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 87
the provestis, Schir Johnne Rutherfurdis, and Patry Leslies expensis, that isth Nov.^
suld rid to Pertht, to commond with the qwenis grace and the lordis, for ^^^^'
the weile of the realme ; and the remanent that restis, the said twa chargis
to be taken vp elikwise, and deliuerit to Andrew CuUane and the masteris
of the kirk werk.
30th December, 1513.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the provost, bailzeis, coun-
saile, and communite, that quhen thair happinnis ony affray throu fyr or
vthir accident, cais that na manere of man cum furtht of thar houssis quhil
thai be abilzot in thar best array bodin forweir, quhen thai heir the warning
of the common bell.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the provest, bailzeis, con-
saile and communite, that thair sal saile bot ix personis now in thir thre
schips now beand reddy to saile, quhilkis sal leif nyne men for thame, weil
furnist and bodin as efferis, to lot, scot, waik, and ward for thame, to be
ressauit and admittit be the provest and bailzeis.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit, that all man duelland within this
toune sal pas on Twsday that next cummmis, with the provest and bailzeis,
to the linx, to devise thar bastailye and trinchis, and vthir fensabile wais,
for defence of the towne, to the resisting of our auld enemyis of Ingland.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the provest, bailzeis, coun-
saill, and coramunitie, that all outburges sail come and mak personall re-
sidence within this burghe, within twenty dais heirefter, vnder the paine
of tinsaile of thair fredome ; and that na man duelland within this burgh
mak him to remuif furtht of the samyn, vnder the pain of tinsail of his
fredome for euer, and for all that he has of the towne.
The said day, it was statut be the prouost, balzeis, and counsaile, that
ale freman of this burghe be weile bodyn and abilzet for weir in thair
personis, ilkan efter thair degre and faculte, ilkan hawand ane speir, ane
bow, and ane targe, with vthir defensabile wapins, the speir contening v eln
and d., to remane within the towne for the resisting of thar aid inemeis of
Ingland ; and ilkan freman that falzies and reraayn nocht personaly within
88 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
30th Dec., this burghe, sale pay viij s. ilkan day vnforgevin, to furnis vther per-
1*^^ sonis.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit, that ale fremen within this
burghe sale byg and vpraak thar fossis and bastulry, in xvj fute in lyngtht
at the sandeness, and begyn thairto the fift day of Januar, and continew
to Candilmes next therafter, to the completing of the samyn, vnder the payn
of tynsale of thar fredome, landis, and gudis.
I2th January, 1514.
The said day, the provest, bailzeis, and counsaile, conducit and feit
Schir Johne Murray, sangster, to sing in thar queir and kirk, in messis,
raatynis, and evinsangis, and vther devin seruices, occurrand within thar
kirk, as vtheris the choristaris and singaris dois within the sarayne, at all
his possibilite. For the quhilkis thai haue assignit to the said Schir Johne
and be this present act assignis tene markis vsual money of Scotland,
tharof sex markis to be pait to him yerlie of the malis of the fleshous, and
fyfti schillingis to be takin vp yerlie be the said Schir Johne fra Garuane of
Murray, of his wattir maill of the Crovis, and the remanent thairof, quhilkis
extendis to xl d., to be pait to him of the commone puree. Quhilkis Schir
Johne thai haue conductit for ane yer, fra the fest of Sanct Nicholace thar
patroun precedand the dait herof, at the quhilk fest was the entrais of the
said Schir Johnne to thair seruice. And the said yeir be runnyne and
compleit, gif it plese the said Schir Johne to remain in thir seruice langer
he sal haue the said x markis yerlie, sa lang as he remanis in thair
seruice.
2Ath April, 1514.
Thir statutis efter following was maid and diuisit be the provest, bailzeis,
counsaile, and communitie, for the reformacioun of certane necassar
thingis to be had in thar modir kirk, to the honor and fre loving of
God Almyghty, the blissid Virgin, and thar gloriouse patrone Sanct
Nicholace, and for the keping of the toune fra Strang seiknes, and
specialie this contageus pestilence ringand in all partis about this
burghe, and for the keping of the townn fra the aid innemeis of
Ingland.
In the first, in the loving of God Almighti, the blessed Virgin Marie,
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 89
our glorious patroun Sanct Nicholace, and all Sanctis, for the decoring and 24th April,
reparacioun to be had in our raodir kirk in necissar and neidfuU thingis ^'^^^^
thoucht expedient, and specialie in sang bukis for our queir, chantour,
cappis, frontallis, towalis of the hie altar, for clathis, chandelaris of bras,
lectronis of bras, westmentis and ornamentis pertening til the hie altar, chalis,
mess buk, and all vder necessar thingis to the decoring of the said alter,
kirk, and queir : it is diuisit, statut, and ordanit, that thar be takin of all
schippis that passis furtht, or is fraucht out of this burgh to Flanderis or
Zeland, of euery sek of woll or skinnis sek lik, and of euery last of sal-
mond and hidis, tuelf grotis Flanderis money, to be ressauit and vptakin
of the merchandis gudes that happinnis to be input and ladnyt in the
sarayn schippis, and to be deliuerit to ane coUectour thoucht expedient
be the towne to ressaue the samyn, and reman in his handis, quhilk salbe
responsale tharfor, to be furthcumand to by the necessar thingis, thoucht
be the haile townn, to decoring of haly kirk, as said is. And in euery
charter party that happinis to be maid, that it be specifeit in the charter
partie payand, to the collectour that salbe ordand, xii g. to Sanct Nicholace
lycht ; and that the skipper of the said schippis, to be frauchit, ressave
and vptak the said xii g. with his fraucht, lelely and treulie deliuer it to
the said collectour of the gudis being within his schip ; and at his frauchting
salbe sworne tharto. And this xii g. Flandris money, to gidder with
Sanct Nicholace awin propir gudes, to be takin vp and put in the said
collectouris handis for the space of five yeris to cum, fra the dai of the
dait hereof. And forthir, induring the marchandis and tounis wil, gif it
be vnderstandin be thame, the said gudis cummys to the profit of haly
kirk.
Item, it is statut and ordanit, fra thir furtht that na burges nor freman
be maid for the said space, bot or he be ressauit in fraternite of the gild,
sail pay ane Franche croune of wecht to Sanct Nicholace reparacioun of
his kirk and queir, and to be input in the said collectouris handis, for the
causis befor nemmyt, and of all craftismen and vther simple [ ]
be composicioun to pay ane certane [ ] eftir ther faculte, as salbe
aggreit with thame for the tyme.
Assua, that na vnfreman be licenc to saile in marchandice to na partis
without that he pay to Sanct Nicholace werk, and decoring of his kirk.
90 EXTllACTS FKOM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
24th April, twa Franche crownis of the weicht, for the space forsaid ; and gif the
^* provest for the tyrae happinis to licenc ony to saile of his auctorite, he sal
ansuer for the said tua crownis, and deliuer, or cause to deliuer, the samyn
to the said coUectour in firme keping, &c.
It is statut and ordanit be the provest, baillies, counsale, and communite
of this burgh, that na manor of persone nor personis, fre nor vnfre, of quhat-
sumeuer degre thai be, of resset nor herbry ony raanere of persone cumand
furtht of suspect placis quhare this violent and contageous suord of pesti-
lence ringis, nor na vder personis vnknavin cumand fra Strang placis, with-
out licence askit and obtenit fra the provest or baiLzeis, vnder the pane of
banyssing of the toune for zer and day ; and or the said personis be lattin
in, that the host of thar innes quhar thai happin to lug in for the tym, cum
and ressaue thame at the portis, quhilk sal stand souerte for thame that thai
ar clone, and the toune to be quhit of danger of thame, and that ane of the
keparis of the portis of the tym cum and schaw to ane bailze and sic per-
sonis of the strangear, or he be lattin in.
Item, it is thoucht expedient, statut, and ordanit to vmbeschew the said
seknes, that thar be bot thre portis haldin oppin for cuming of strangearis,
that is to say, the Skulhill port, the Gallougat port, and the hil port of the
Castelgat, and all the laif be closit, and maid vp for ane certane tyme dur-
ing the townis will ; at the quhilkis portis, and at euery ane of thaim, salbe
tua keparis of sufficient personis with vappinnis according to thame, and
that na boyis nor laddis be ressauit to that wache for fensable personis, to
resist the incummaris and lurdanis that wald mak ony demand, and quhat
personis that sendis sic vnhabill folkis sal pay an vnlaw of viij s. vnforgevin.
Alsua it is statut and ordanit, that euery bailze in his quarter cheise cer-
tane honest personis and famous efter the quantite of the quarter, and cans
the samyn personis to be suorn the gret bodelie aitht, that thai sail lelely
and treulie noit and vpgif all resittouris and herbrearis of suspect personis
within this burgh, and all vther personis puuerale cumand within this burgh
to remain furtht of landward that has nocht to susten one alsoft and how
oft as thai happin to cum in, and that the ressauouris of the said personis be
banyst the towne yeir and day as said is, and that na sic personis be tholit
cumand furtht to landwart or vtheris reraane within this burgh.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 91
Alsua it is statut and ordanit, that all common wenellis, and oppin yardis 24th April,
quhar all personis has passag and common wyse of gangind throucht, within ^^^^'
this burgh, in all partis quhar thai ar, be closit incontinent, and the saidis
venellis and yardis mad wp, euery porcioaner, or awanar of the samyn, to
mak his dikis sufficient, and big thar bed dikkis for the resisting of pas-
singeris and Strang pepill, and gif the lard of the ground refuse to big his
dikis, that his tennentis big vp the samyn apon the lardis expensis, and to
be allouit in thar malis, and gif the tennentis refusis, thai to be vpbiggit apoun
the expensis of the land and malis of the samyn, be the bailze or officiaris
of that quarter. And that euery bailze of his quarter pass incontinent and
cause this statut to be fulfiUit within xlviij houris herefter, vnder the pain
of viij s. for ane amerciament, and the vpmaking of the samyn ; and that all
thir forsaides statutis be oppinlie proclamyt at the merkit corse, that thai
may be manifest of the pepill of the toune.
Item, it is statut, ordanit, and thoucht expedient be the provest, bailzeis,
and counsaile, for the rescheving of this burgh fra danger of our auld ene-
meis of Ingland inuadand this burgh be raanir of schippis or vderwais, that
thar be nychtlie for this somere sessioun, gif neid beis, four personis, abill
men, and furnist with vappinnis and geir, wachand, that it is to say, tua of
thame at the belhouse, bezond the watter, to await and tak tent gif ony
schips cummys apone the cost, quhilk sail haue fyr with thame and bekin
and schaw to the toder tua that sail waik apon the castell hill or tharby, and
gif thar apperis danger, or the said schips approchis, to mak fyr and ring
the bell to that, and that the toder tua may be soueralie aduertist of the
samye end, that the tan of thame cum and ring the common bell to walkin
the townn for defens.
\2th May, 1514.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the prouest, consaill, and
communite of this burgh, for resisting of our auld inemeis of Ingland, that
thar be warnyt nychtly aucht able men, furnyst with wapins, to waicht
and keip the toun and the cost syid, iiij at Sanct Fethakis, bezond the
wattir, and vther four at the Cunnynger hillis ; and at thai haue rady with
tham fyr and stuf to mak blaise, to warne thar marowis gif thai sal hapin
se ony salis one the cost, ilkane to wther. To the giding of the quhilkis
thair salbe warnyt, be the officiar of the quarter, a principall man, quhilk
92 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
12th May. salbe ane of thir personis vnder writtin, that is to say, in the crukit quarter
1514. Duncane Colisone, quhilk sail begin and walk this nycht, William Porter,
Alexander Gray, William Schesem, Thome Craufurd, James Colisone,
Schir John Ruthirfuird, Alexr. Rudirfurd, William Wormet, and Johne
Arthour ; in the evin quarter, lohne Colisone, lohnne Cullen, Androw
Cullen, Gawane Murray, Dauid Andersone, Mathow Brancht, Johnne
Andersone, Johnne Murray senior, Walter Cullen, Androw Fif, Johnne
of Murray zonger, Androw Litstar, Scharlis Stevinsone, and Dauid Kin-
tor ; in Futhy quarter, Johne Blak, Johne Kintor, Dauid Fynnie, Patrik
Schirnsid, Thome Waus, William Rolland, Gilbert Menzeis, prouest,
Johne Mar, and Dauid Steuart ; and in the Grein quarter, Alexander
Malisone, Thomas Chamer, Patrik Lesly, George Bisset, Gilbert Litstar,
and Androw Stratoun. And ane of the saidis personis that is warnit be
the officiar sail nychtlie compeir at aucht houris on the castell hill, with the
bailzie and officiar of the quarter, and ryng the bell of the schapell, quhilk
sal be callit the waicht bell, and thar sail exeme the said aucht personis
warnit to waicht for that nycht gif thai be abill and conuenient thairfoir,
and gif thai find ony unable of the said personis thar, thai sail fee ane able
man, and gif him for his laubour ane Inglis grot, one thar expenssis that
sendis sic unable men for tham. And the said aucht personis to be or-
dourit and sytuat be the said principall man, quhilk sal walk with tham in
propyr persone. And quha of the said personis that remoffis and passis
away fra the said waicht, or the sown rysing, salbe banist the toun for yeir
and day.
The said day, thar was chosyne, with consent of haile towne, Johnne
Mar, Dauid Steuart, and William Wormet, to be masteris of thar artalery,
and to gid and keipe thar powder and wayr quarteris.
I6th June, 1514.
It is statut and ordanit be the prouest, baillies, consaill, and haill bodie
of the tounn, that the taxt set for the byggyn of thair blokhouse, cartis, and
the gunneris heir, be incontinent pait, and that euery baillie sail pass
throucht his quarter to euery persone awand thair taxt that thai stentit to,
and requyr paiment thairof. And quha that faillies onpait within xxiiij
houris, sail pay, for the ferst tyrae, viij s. to the baillies for ane vnlaw
rnforgeyin ; and for the secund tyme, thai being requyrit, the wnlaw to be
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 93
doublit ; and for the third tyme, thair gudis to be eschit, and our souerane i6th June,
lordis letteris put to execution thairwpoun. ^^i^
It is statut and ordanit, that the trinches be luaide sufficientlie, and that
erery man that hes nocht byggit nor completit, that the samyn be completit
betuix this and Wedinsday nixt to cum, and euery man to ansuer to his
awin pairt ; arid that euery man compeir upoun the linx efter noun, and
that the samyn be maid knawn quha hes biggit and quha nocht.
17 th September f 1515.
Statut for the electioun of ix personis to pas to the dukis seruice.
The said day, the haile towne, warnit be the hand bell and the officiaris,
gatherit, representand the haUl town for the tyme, and circualie inquerit,
chesit Gilbert Menzis, Johnne Cullan, Andro CuUan, Johne Colisoun,
James Colisoun, Thomas Wans, and Wilzeame Wormet, to be suorne the
gret aitht to chese nyne personis, fensabill pretty men, to pas and mak the
gud seruice, and to be nemmyt and chesin be thame.
26th September, 1515.
The said day, it was diuisit and thoucht expedient, for the trespass and
offens done be Cristall and PauU, Densmen, be the counsaile, for the
breking of the gunnys and cartys of the samyne, that thai sal amende the
said cartys and gunnys, and mak thame alse gud as thai war aforr, and
sal pay xl s. to the kirk werk and haly blud licht ; and sal cum to morne
at ix houris with twa candillis of ij lib. of wax, in thair handis, barbed,
and ask the counsaile and gud men of the tounn, in the name of the
prouest and haill toune, forgivnes for the strublance of the townn, and offer
the said tua candillis to the haly blud licht ; and sail ament Jonet Kintoris
star that thai brak with stanys, and ask hir forgevnes for the fait done to
hir. And this, for part of the amendis for the fait committit be thaim,
and, for the quhilk amendis to be done, the skipper of the Dense schip
come souerte be his hand vpbaldin, for the said men. And Halbert
Strachan come souerte, be his handes and gudes, for the skipper, that the
said men suld mak the said amendis, as said is.
19^A October, 1515.
The said day, the provest, baillies, counsale, and communite, grantit,
94 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
19th October, gcf, and assignit the rest of the tax to be takin vp of the ix furnist speiris
^*^^- that passit to the bordouris, at the dukis command, to the reparatioun and
biggin of thar common peir and key, and ordand the samyn to be deliuerit
to James Colisone and Wilzam Holland, denys of gild.
lAth November^ 1516.
The xxiiij day of Nouember, anno raillesimo quingentesimo xvj'", Patry
Lesly eldar, maister of the kirk werk, grantit him to haue ressauit fra
Johne of CuUane, thre barrellis of salmond, of the five barrellis abefor
writin, awing to Saint Nicholace werk.
IQth January i 1518.
The said day, the toone consentit and ordanit thair masteris of kirkwerk
to translat thar [ ] and passag to the rudloft, and big up Sanct Nichell
dur, and mak a fair wyndo in that gavill of thar croce kirk.
\%th March, 1518.
The said day, all the merchandis of this gud toune present for the tyme,
varnit be the officiaris to comper within thair tolboutht for the commond
Weill of merchandeise, and the most part of the samyn being gaderit and
conuenit within the said tolboutht, with the prouest, bailzes, and consaill of
the samyn, it being considerit and vnderstand be tham that the making of
money fremen, brudir of gilde, and the legence gevin to vnfremen to saill
with merchandeise, and ws and occupy the fredome of this gud toune, hes
greitly hurt and skathit thame and thar priue priuilegis in tyme bygane,
and in likwise preuiding and considering the greit vntoUerable darapnag
quhilk is abill to cum to the samyn to tham and to thar successouris, of thar
awne fre will and motiff, all in ane woce, thai being circuler inquirit be the
officiar, na manor of persone opponand nor sayand in the contrar, gaif,
grantit, and assignit, and be the virtu of this present act gaif, grantit, and
assignit, to thar patroune Sanct Nicholes, and to the repairing, biging, and
vphaldyne of thar parris kirk in keipis, vestimentis, and vther necessar
omamentis pertening to the samyn, of euery sek passing out off thar fre-
doum and port of Aberden to Franche, Flandris, Estland, or ony vther part
without this roualme, tua s. grett Flandris money, or the awail thar of in
money of the cuntray thai cum to ; for the quhilk the prouest, bailzeis, con-
saill, and the most part of the communite being present for the tyme, and
OF THE BIJRGH OF ABERDEEN. 95
representand the body of the haill tovne, has maid statut and ordanit that I8th March,
thar be na maner of man maid burges of glide within the said burgh ex- ^^^^'
cept burghs sovnis, or tham that mariis burges douchteris, quhilkis salbe
induellaris within the burgh or thai be maid, and find induellare souerties
within the said burgh for thar continuell residence, and thai to be maid
with the avise of the haill conseill or the most part tharof. And in likvise
it is statut be the saidis that nane onfreman nor freman quhilk makis
nocht contineuell recidence within the said burgh haue priuileg nor licens
to saill thame self nor thar gudis out of the port, nor fredome of this gud
toune, for na maner of request [ ] nor revart. And this statut to be ob-
seruit and keipit inviolable for all the space of sevyn yeiris immediat folow-
ing the dait of this writ ; and gif it sail hapin the gud toune to brek thir
statutis maid be thame for the commone weill of the samyn, thane the pro-
mese and grant of the said tua s. greit, maid be the marchandis forsaid, to
be of nane awaill, force, nor effect, becaus the said grant was maid for the
obseruing and keiping of the said statut ; and gif the prouest quhatsumeuer
for the tyme makis ony freman, or licenc ony vnfreman or out duellar to
saile as said is, by the awise of the consaill, thane he salbe bund to recom-
pense the skath and darapnag dovne to our glorius patroun for the breking
of the said statut, as he will ansuer to God, the king, and the good tovnn.
8^^ October, 1518.
The said day, the prouest, bailyeis, and counseill assignit and ordanit
to be deliuerit to Schir Johne Cuming, thair chorister and player on thair
organis, aucht d. of Sanct Nicholes braid euery Sonday, and euery prin-
cipal! fest, likas youU, pasche, thair patrounis day, Witsounday, and sick-
like ; sextene d. in likwiss, as vss was to be gevin to Sir Androw Cup,
his predecessour.
nth October, 1518.
The saide day, Johnne Brabner promittit to the biging of the port of the
Gallowgat ane chaldyr of lyme. Alex. Gray promittit ane vther chaldir of
lyrae to that samyn effect.
I3th December, 1518.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, and a pairt of the conseill, assignit
Schir Johnn Cumraing, singar of thair quayr, and playar one thair organis.
96 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTEE
I3th Dec., for his fee, for his gud and lovable service to be done yeirly, of the mail
^^^^ of the croffis fiv merkis ij s. les, and the clerkship of the Castelgat quarter
for vther fiv merkis, and four merkis of Shedesley.
llth January i 1519.
The said day, the prouest, bailzes, and consaill, with assent and consent
of the haill comunite being present for the tyme, representant the body of
the haill tovne, all in ane woce, nane gansawand nor opponnen tham, that
to for the eking of thair merit, and in honor of God and the glorius matron
Sanct Anne, gef, grantit, and assignit, and be this wricht gevis, grantis,
and assignis to thar pure ladiis all and haill that pece grene land of tharis
liand on the north syd of thar seikhouse ; of the quhilk, the marchis efter
folovis in the letterend of this act ; and that at the instance of ane rycht
venerable and worschipfull clerk, Maister Alexander Galloway, persone of
Kinkell, quhilk promittit, God willing, to big and vpheid one ane pece of
grovnd perteining to the said seikhouse, ane chapell and oratour, in honor
of God and the blisset matrone forseid, Sanct Ane ; and the gift, dona-
cioun, and patronage of the samyne to remain and abide with the gud toune
of Abirdene, and with thar successouris perpetualy in all tyme cuming.
And for the mair securite of the samyn, thai ordanit thar commont seill to
be affixit to thar said gift, and it to be extendit in the best and souerest
fassone, can be maid befor this witnes, Master Thomas Chamer, Sir Johne
Waus, Sir Dauid Waus, Dauid Loremar, and all the haill courte.
I8th November, 1519.
The said day, Johne Alex. Rudirfurd, Willeam RoUand, and Patrik
Leslie, baizes of this burgh, for this instant yeir in ane woce gaf, grantit,
and assignit the aschatis, vnlayis, and amerciament for this instant yeir to
the biging and completing of thar port of the Gallowget, for wile and hon-
our of the gud toune.
20fA October, 1520.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, and conseill, with consent and assent
of the haill raerchandis and brethir of gilt being present for the tyme, warnit
personaly be the oflSciaris, ratifeit, confermit, and approvit the honorable
and lowable statut maid be thame the auchtene day of Marche, the yer of
God a thousand fiv hundreth and xviij yerisj tuiching the ij s. gret, to be
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 97
pait of ilke sek of gudis that sail happine to pass furtht of thar port of 20th October,
Abirden to Franche, Flandris, Danskyne, Denmark, or ony vthir part with- ^^^•
out the reaulme, providing all ways that thar be na freman maid brouchter
of gilde during the space of seven yeiris fra the dait of the said statut, ex-
cep thai that ar contenit in the samyne, and in likwise that nane vnfreman
be lecenc to saill him self nor his gudis for na maner of requist, price,
prayar, nor instance during the said space. And givit sail happine the
prouest or denuys of gilde to lecenc ony vnfreman himself or his gudis to
saill, or to mak ony freman except tham contenit in the said statut, for
price, prayar, instance, or requist, thane, and in that kaise, thai bind and
oblegis thame be the vertu of this present act and statut, to content, refund,
and pay to Sanct Nicholes werk tene pundis greit Flandris money for ilk
tyme the said statut beis violet be thame, in all or in part. And attour,
gif it sal happene the said merchandis, or ony ane of thame, be thame salf,
or be thar factour, to failze in paiment of the said ij s. gret of sek, or of thar
gudis corrisponding tharto, tha being requirit be the tovnis factouris for the
samyn, thane thai binde and oblegis thame, be the vertu of the said act and
statut, to content and pay aucht crovnis Scottis money for ilke pund gret, or
xiiij s. for the franke, or according tharto of the money of the cuntray thai
pass in. And gif it sail happin ony of the saidis brethir of gilt to gouer-
ane ony vnfremanis gudis vnder callour of his aune or ony otheris, thai
bind tham in lik wise to content and pay to the effect forsaid tene pundis gret
vnforgevin ; and this statut to indure, and to be kepit for sevin yeiris fra
the dait forsaid, na maner of acceptioun to be proponit in the contrar ; and
quhai that violattis the samyn, in all or in part, to incure the indignacioun
of God and our haly patrovne Sanct Nicholes, and pay the soumes abovne
writing vnforgevin. Super quibus omnibus et singulis honorabilis Gilbertus
Menzeis prepositus euisdem burgi a me notario publico sibi fieri petiit pub-
licum instruraentura : acta in pretorio dicti burgi anno die et mense quibus
supra indictione octaua pontificatus domini Leonis pape decimi anno septimo
Presentibus ibidem venerabilibus et discretis viris magistro Dauid Menzeis
presbitro in sacris letteris bachalario ac notario publico magistro Willelmo
Philpsone dominis Dauid Wause et Roberto Malisone capellanis ita est
Dauid Nicholsone notarius publicus ac scriba curie etc.
ISth Januuryy 1521.
The said day, Maister Jobnne Marschell, maister of the grammer scvyll
98 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th January, of Aberdeen, inquirit be the provest quhome of he had the said scoyll of
1521. Abirden. Grantit in iugment, that he had the samyne of the said guyd
toun oflPerand him, reddy to do thame and thair barnys seruice and plesour
at his power, and ranuersit his compulsatour of the Curt of Royme in all
poyntis, except that it suld be lesum to him to persew the techaris of
gramer within the said burgh afor thair iugis ordinar, insafar as he mycht
of law. And that the towne kepand to him aid wse and wont, liik as thai
dyd to the maister of the samyn in all tymes bigane.
24th March, 1521.
And in likwise the haill toun conducit and feit ane Flemyng, callit Henre
Deyne, gunner, till clenge, graitht, and decht thair artailzery, and to wse
the samyn at thair command gif neid for a monetht, contand xxx days for
ilk monetht, for the quhilk tha sail gef the said gunnour five crownis for
ilk monetht that he remayns in thair seruice.
7th September, 1521.
The said day, the balzeis chargit all and sindry inhabetaris of thar tovne
of Futy, in generall and in speciall, that thai nor nan of thara tak one
hand to pull, gader, nor away tak nane of the mussillis nor kokillis now
begingin to gader one ane now skap at the northt watter, besyd the Cun-
ningar hillis, for yeir and day, that the forsaid skap be perfectly growing,
vndir the pane of banising the tovne for yeir and day oneforgewin.
13th April, 1522.
The said day, the provest, baillies, and counsell, and communite, all in
ane voce, chesit thir personis vnderwrittin to sit continuale with thair
provest, quhen thay ar requirit be him to awise on the necessar besynes
concerning the guyd town, for the defence of the samyn against thair auld
ennemies of Ingland, that is to say, Schir Johne Rutherfurd, Andro
CuUane, lohne Mar, Johne Collisone, Thomas Menzes, Dauid Andersone,
James Collisone, William RoUane, and Patrik Leslie. And gif it beis
fundin that thair be sic neidfuU bissines that it behuvis the guyd toun to
sett or formaile ony of thair takis, other of water or land, thai consent
inlikwise that thair be furtht chosyne, of the nomer aboue writtin, foure
personis, with thair provest, to sett or formail the said takis, for the com-
mont Weill of this guyd toun, as thai wul answer afor God, and at thair
OF THE BUBGH OF ABERDEEN. 99
be a commission maid to thame, to the quhilk thai ordaind thair commont I3th April,
seill to be appensit. ^^^'
2Sih April, 1522.
The said day, thir personis vnder writtin has tayne on thame to furness
certane cartis, to the carting of the townis artalzery, that thai may be reddy
in tyme of neid, eftir the auld rit and constitutioun of the guyd town, that is
to say, the provest, a cart ; the four baillies, a cart ; Gilbert Menzeis, a
cart ; James CoUisone and Dauid Andersone, a cart ; Johnne Mar, a
cart; Johnne Blak, George and Gamen Murra, and Johnne Andersone, a
cart; Johnne Murray, Alexr. Gray, William Chesolme, and Andro Stra-
toun, a cart.
And inlikwise the provest and baillies hes chargit thir craftis vnder
written, of thair awin consent, to performe and furneiss, as efter follow is :
The litstar craft, a cart ; the baxster craft, a cart ; the flesseris, a cart ;
the cordinaris, a cart ; the tailzeouris, a cart ; the hammermen, a cart ;
walkaris and wobstaris, a cart ; and to mak and performe the samyn within
viij dayis, under the peyne of xl s. vnforgevin.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit, with consent and assent of the
haill bodie of the toun, that quhome it salhappin to be absent fra thair next
wapinschawe, to be haldin on Furisday the first day of May next to cum,
to be haldin on the Womanhill, at ix houris in the morning, at thai sal
pay xl s. vnforgevin ; and quhatsuraeuer personis that beis fund in ony
borrowit geir the said day, othir jak, splent, knapskaw, or ony other geir,
the samyn to be escheit be the provest, and to pay the baillies vnlaw vn-
forgevin.
23d May, 1522.
The said day, Patrik Leslie, ane of this balzeis of the burght, fand ane
bort in the handis of Dauid Heroun, officiar of the samyn, for him self and
the rest of his nychtbouris, quhilkis had gudis in ane schip callit [ ]
takin and arrestit in Byrowne. That the gudis now being in Abirdene,
quhilkis [wer] inbrocht one ane Hollanderis bodum, allegit to be ane Franch-
man price, aucht to remain within the said burght, and to be arrestit to the
said merchandis challance, ay and quhill thai get a souer certification of the
100 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
23d May, lordis quhidder gif the said schip was lauchtfuU price or nocht, for and be-
1522. cause the saidis marchandice gudis of Abirdene was takin and arrestit in
Birown for the said schip and gudis, allegand nocht to be iust price for
sindry caussis, quhilk the bailzeis chargit the said officiar to do as he wald
ansuer one the executioun of his office.
26th May, 1522.
The said day, Eduart Cokbourne, and Johne Bartoun, procuratour, and
Robert Bartoun, comptroller of Scotland, protestit solemply in jugment
that quhat skaith the said comptroller and Edwart sustenit throucht the
arrest laid one the gudis aboune writin be Patrik Leslie, Johne Chene,
Johne Senzeour, and Johne Stevin, said cum apone the said arrestatour,
and for remaid of law, tyme, and place. And the said Patrik offerit the
said gudis, and the rest maid thar one to be loussit, incontinent thar findand
souerty, to do to him and his said complessis that law wald. And the said
Edwart fand Gilbert Menzeis of Findoun and William RoUand cautionar
to do to the said Patrik and his complices that law wald, tuiching the said
guidis, and the said Eduart oblegit him to keip tham skathlis thairof.
21th May, 1522.
Be it kend till all men be thir present letteris, wss provest, baillies, con-
sell, and communite of Abirden ... for ane certane soome of nu-
merit money, pait to wss at the making of this writ, to the bigging of oure
blokhouse, hying of pouder, and paing of our gunneris feis, and vther
sindrie besines the toun hes ado, for the defence of the samin agains our
auld ennemeis of Ingland, now being in the sey with ane greit army, as
we are souerlie informit, pait to wss be our louit Johnne Senzeon, burgess
of the said burgh, for his grissoum and entress siluer, of ane half nettis
fisching of the furdis on the watter of Dee, of the quhilk grissovme and
entre siluer we hald wss weill content and pait, and quietclamis and dis-
chargis the said Johnne, and Jonat Crag his spouse, thair aireis and
assignais, and all vtheris quhom it efferis, for wss, our aireis, and succes-
souris, for now and for euer. To haue set and to maill lattin, and be
the tennour of thir present letteris settis and mail lattis, to the said
Johne Senzeon, and Jonat Crag his spouse, and to the langast levar of
thame tua, and to the said Johnes aires and assignais, burgessis and in-
duUaris the said burgh, all and haill ane half nettis fisching of the furdis
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 101
on the watter of Dee,, with all and sindrie pendiculis and pertinentis, use 27th May,
and wont ; quhilk half nettis fisching vraquhill Thomas Leitht, burges of ^^^*
the said burgh, had in tak and assidacioun of wss, for the termes of our
generall assidatioun, instant for all the termes of fiue yeris of our next
generall assidacioun, and forthir for all the termes that it salhappin the
samin till indur . . . The entre of the said Johne and Jonat, thair
aires and assignais, salbe, God willing, in and to the said halfnettis fisching,
vith the pertinence at the vigill of Sanct Androw, in the yeir of God j™
v*= twenty and five yeris, quhilk salbe the entre of our next generall asse-
datioun, and fra thinfurth to continew in peciable josin and bruikin the
samin, for all the termes of the said five yeiris, and forthir during the
termes of our next generall assedatioun, be corapleit and fullelie runnin . .
The said Johne or Jonat, the langest levar of tham tua, his aires or as-
signaies, payand to wss, our successouris or factouris, yeirlie, the soume
of tua merkis vsual mony of Scotland, at tua termes vsit within burgh,
allanarlie for all vthir thingis that may be askit or requirit of the said half
nettis fisching, with the pertinence, during the termes of this our present
assedatioun. And atour, we the saidis provest, baillies, counsell, and com-
munitie, bindis and oblesis wss, our ayres, and successouris, to warrand,
keip, and defend, all and haill the said half nettis fisching of the furd, with the
pertinence, to the said Johne and Jonat .... In witnes of the quhilk,
we haue causit our commend seill to be appensit to this present assedatioun,
togidder with the subscriptioun manuel of our commissaris handis, at
Aberden, the xxvii day of Maij, the yeir of God j™ v'' twenty and tua
yeris.
20f/i June, 1522.
The said day, Johne TuUidefi" wes in amerciament of the curt for the
cruell strublance of Wat Wod, he beand in the townis seruice, ane of thair
wachis for the commend weill of the samyn. And the said Wat quit of all
strublance doyne to him, quhairfor the balzeis chargit thair officiaris that
thai said tak sourte of him to compeir befor the prouest and baillies on
Mononday that nixt cummis till amend to the party, at the command of the
saidis provest and baillies.
1th July, 1522.
The said day, the baill toun, warnit be the handbell, all in ane voce,
o
102 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
7th July. grantit and consentit that thair suld be ane commond tent and palzeon maide
^^^- for the lugeing of the nychtbouris of the samyn now in tyme of weir ;
and quhat guyd way that the provest and counsall may find for the samin
thai assent thairto all in ane voce.
10^^ JwZy, 1522.
The said day, the haill toun, gaderit be thair hand bell, and warnit in
speciall be thair officiaris, convenit within the tolbuitht of the samin, re-
presentand the body of the toun for the time, all in ane voce, considerand
the gret expression and cruell displeasure doyne to thame, in the taking of
thar nichtbour, Thomas Chalmour, burgess of the said burgh, vnder silence
of nycht, he beand in the kingis seruice, and presoning and withhalding
of the samyn be James Forbes of Auchintouill, Maister Wilzeame Forbes,
Maister Alexander Strachin, and Johne of Ruthirfurd, with thar complesis,
hes diuisit thair nychtbour, Duncan Mar, to pass to the gouernor and
lordis of the realme, to impetrat letteris of justice and aggenis the said
complaints ; and inlikwyse till labour for ane liscience to the toune and
nychtbouris of the samyne, to remayne at hame for defence of the said
towne, baitht fra thair auld ennemeis of Ingland and ewill nychtboris of the
cuntry. And failzeand at the said Duncan can nocht labour ane liscience
to the hail toun, that he will labour to se and find quhat nomer the said
toun may furneiss, sua that ane pairt ma remayne at hayme for the defence
of the said toun, and ane vthir pairt may be providit to pass at the plesour
of the gouernour and lordis of counsell. And thai ordanit Duncane Coli-
sone, bailze, to deliuer x merkis of the rediast mony, beand in his handis,
to the said Duncan, for his furnessing other of taxt wattir malis, or ony
vther mony. And inlikwise the haill toun has maid the said Duncan thair
commissar in that part, to compone for any certaine sovme of mony, for
thair liscence to remayne at hayme, and ordanit ane commissione to be
maid till him thairapone, vnder the commond seill, gif neid be, promittand
thame till keip ferme and stable, and to releif the said Duncan of the
soomes promittand be him, to the effect aboue writtin.
And inlikwise it wes statut and ordanit be the hail toun aboue writtin,
all in one voce, na man opponand nor sayand in the contrar, that na nycht-
bour within this toun duelland, suld house, harbry, nor resett nayne of the
personis aboue writtin, thameselff, thair horsis, nor thair servandis, nor sail
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. l03
sell nor gif to thaine meit nor drink, noyther for horse nor man, nor haue loth July,
vther cornraounicatioun with thame of na maner of kind of merchandice, ^^^•
nor with nayne of thair coraplesis quhilks were at the committing of the
said cryme. Nor inlikwise with the lard of Abirgeldy, nor his complesis,
quhilkis hes maisterfullie spulzeit and away taken the nychtbouris horses
furth of the fredome of the said burgh, vnto the tyme that thai haue maid
ane sufficient and conding amendis to the guid toun and nichtbouris of the
samyn, and at thai be liscence be the provest and counsell of the samyn
till haue commounicatioun with the nychtbouris of the samyn, vnder the
payne of tynsell of thair fredome within the said burgh, and all other
priuileges or proffitis, takis or roomis, that thai haue or may haue within
the samyn, and to be deprivit of the samyn incontinent efter thai be con-
vikit of the said cryme.
And inlikwise it was commandit and chargit Normond Leslie and Dauid
Herroun, officiaris, be the bailzies, at command of the provest, counsell,
and haill communite, at thai suld pass, forse, and seik John of Rurthirfurd,
within the boundis of thair fredome, and gif thai culd nocht apprehend him
thairin, that thai suld pass to his lugeing within the said burgh, afor suffi-
cient witnessing, and warne him to compeir afor thame on Fredday the xi
day of this moneth of July, to heir and see himself declarit to haue tynt his
fredome within this burgh, and to haue forfaltit all and sindrie his takis
within the samyn. And inlikwise to [be] maid inhable in his persoun to
bruik euermair, tak or rovme, within the said fredome, for and because he
wes principall takar of Thomas Chamer, nychtbour of the samyn, and of
the presoning and withhalding of him.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the haill toun^ all in ane voce,
that all maner of man within this towne duelland, baith burgessis of gild
and vther craftismen, quhilkis his buthis or office houses, that thai remayne
commondlie in, that thai haue besid thame, in thair said offise bowses, ane
sufficient fensable wapyne, sic as ax, halbert, gedward staf, or siclik, for
the defence of thair personis, gudes, and coramond weill of the said burgh.
And at the officiaris pas throw the said burgh, and vise and see gif this
statut be fulfyllit ; and quha that failzies heirin to pay viij s. vnforgevin,
to be applyit be the prowest and bailies at thair wuU, to quhat commond
104 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
10th July, operatioun thai think expedient. And to releif to the provest and baillies
1522. incontinent, efter thai heir ony trubill or debait rysing in the said burgh.
I5th August, 1522.
The XV day of August, and yeir afor writtin, the haill toun gadderit be
tbair hand bell, and conuenit for the maist pairt for thair commond weill,
for the outred of ane somne of money extending to vij lib. Scottis, for ane
liscence to be haid to byd at hayme fra this oist now set to conueyne the
first day of September on Rosling Muyr. The quhilk personis beand cir-
cualie inquerit be the oflSciar, all in ane voce that wes present for the tyme,
accept thir names that efter sail follow, grantit to the paiment of the said
sovme, gif that thai culd do na bettyr, and inlikwise consentit and grantit
to raak ane commissioun vnder thair commond seill, with power to Johne
Mar and Maister Dauid Nicholsone, thair commissaris in that part, to pass
to my lord gouernour, and se quhat thai mycht get downe of the said soume,
and to compone for the samyn, and als to se quhow lang liscence thai suld
haue for the said mony paying, and gif this oist now sturit zeid nocht
furhtt to na set fedill, thai to haue thair mony againe, and this with the
consent of all thir personis efter following that wes present for the tyme :
that is to say, Johne Colisone, provest, Gilbert Menzes, Andro CuUan,
James Colasoun, Thomas Chavmer, Robert Moyses, Willzeam RoUand,
Dauid Anderson, Alex. Gray, J. Ruthirfurd, Walter Cullan, Johne
Cheyne, Mr. Andro Tulidef, Gavuen Murra, Dauid Lambe, Mathew
Branche, Johne Arthpur, Wilzeam Chesolme, J. Murra, Andro Craw-
fuird, John Murra, Thom Craufuird, Rechert Vause, Johne Andersoun,
Andro Stratoun, Alex. Kintor, Sandy Gray, Nichol Baxster, James Fen-
tonn, Adam Weir, Duncan Mar, Johne Kennerty, Andro Andersonn,
Wilzeam Abirdoir, Gilbert Litster, Dauid Paip, Johne Mair, Wm. Annan,
Andro Lousoun, Wm. Kemp, Andro Gray, Ranald Andersoun, Johne
Sevin, Johne Brabner, Robert Cultis, Johne Rethe, Andro Tailzeoir,
Johne Ross, Johne Brabray, James Noyne, George Crag, Johne Walkar,
Johne Vschir, Wm. King, Sande TulidefF, William Buchan, William
Smyth, Wm. Blinseill, Duncan Andersoun, Johne Cristeson, Duncan
Bisschop, Johne Leslie, cuper, Dauid Crommy, Sande Anderson, Sande
Anderson, saulter, Dauid Brvce, Dauid Mar, James Johnston, Johne
Elleiss, Sande Scot, William Mathow, Wm. Gray, riddell, Wm. Wat-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 105
soun, Nichol Cussing, Sande Barnys, Sande Barbour, Johne Huntar, I5th August,
Adam Valcer, Thom Breichin, James Pantoun, Sande Nory, Johne Graim, ^^'^•
Dauid Bannerman, Wat Craufuird, Andre Tailzeour, Dauid Murra, Johne
Blak, Robert Blak, Johne Hay, Johne Andersonn, George Bissat, Robert
Wod, Wat Ancroft, Alex. Nicholsoun, Duncan Porter, Androw Craufurd,
Johne Murra in the Castelget, Johne Kintor, Sande Andersoun, Sande
Tulidef, Wm. Jakis, Syraond Flesser, Johne Senzeour, Thom Blak, Will.
Andersoun, Thom Andersoun, and Thom Watsoun. And thir ar the
names that refused to pay thair part of the said taxt, but said thai wauld
pass furtht to the said oist : that is to say, Johne Malisone, Johne Craik,
Robert Smyth, Jo, Wilzeamsone, Patrik Wod, and Dauid Criste. And
inlikwise the haill toun chesit thir personis efter following to set and extent
the said taxt efter thair sawll and conscience : that is to say, Dauid Ander-
soun, Walter CuUan, Gawan Murra, Johne Arthour, and Andro Stra-
toun.
\5th September, 1522.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the baillies and counsell,
present for the tyme, that whatsomever nichtbour disobeit the command
menstrallis in the gevin of them thair meit and wagis, as thar fee to thame,
efter the forme of the auld lowable wss of this burch, that thai suld pay
to the bailleis, unlaw viii sh. unforgevin, and tua shillings to the said men-
strallis for thair dais cost ; and gif ther be ony puyr folks at ar not abiil
till gif thame meit, that thai gif thame ii d. to thair fee and costis.
\9ih September, 1522.
The said day, ane rycht worschipfull clerk, Maister Alex. Galloway, per-
son of Kinkell, exponit to the prouest and bailzeis quhow Gelis Monro and
his complecis tuk one hand to vphaue the sentrice of the brig to the samyn,
quhilk the spat haid brocht dovne incontinent, quhow sovne he mycht gudly,
for ane France crovne of gold promest to him be the said persone ; and that,
in the said Gelis defalt, the said sentrice ar broking, spylt, and away to the
see haid, in gret skayth and damag of that noble wark ; the quhilk skayth
extendis to ane hundreth pundis, with the mair ; quhilk conditioun the said
Gelis denyit, and the bailzeis assignit Monunday that nixt cumis to the for-
said persone to preif his said allegeance, &c.
106 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
15th Januarj-, I5th January , 1523.
1523. rpjjg saide day, the prouest, bailzeis, and consaill, being present for the
tyme, grantit in jugraent that thai haid causit Dauid Andersone, thair
maister of kirkwark and dayne of gild for this instant yeir, to cause be
bocht be the saycht of William Cristell, burges of Deip, factour to this gud
toun in a pairt, and to the said David of Alex. Nicholsone, and Alex.
Andersone, burges of the said gud toun, ane pece of artellery of brass, of
xxiiij futt, with fifty irne bowlis, according to the samyn, and ane barrel of
powder, to be send hame and anentourit one the tounis awentour ham in
the said Dauid schip, callit the NichoUes ; and the said pice of artillery, with
the furnesing of the samyn, and the berrell of povder forsaid, to be boucht
with the radiest siluer that the said maister of kirkwark had in Deip, that is
to say Sanct Nicholes siluer, and quhar it wanttis that thair is nocht of the
said siluer to fumess the samyn, the said Dauid to cause his said factouris
William Crystell to fumess the samyn of the said Dauid awne propyr gudis ;
for the quhilkis, the saidis prouest, bailzeis, and consaill present for the
tyme, in name and behalf of this gud tovne, and for the comment weill of
the samyn, bindis and oblegis thame and thair successouris to frie, relief,
and discharge the said Dauid of samekle as he debursis of Sanct Nicholes
thar patronis money, at the handis of all men havand entres thairto ; and
inlikwise to content and thankfully pay to the said Dauid his ayris, or as-
signays, the sovme that beis debursit of his awne propyr gudis, to the eflPect
abovne writtin, within xx dayis efter certificatioun cumis ham in Aberdein
of the pament and neid of the sammyn.
\1th April, 1523.
The said day, the provest'and consaill chargit thair officiaris to pass throcht
all the said burght, and charge all maner of nychtbouris and fremen of the
samyn to pass and repair and mend thair pairt of the bastale, and thai that
hes nocht begit to big thair pairt of new, vnder the pane of tinsell of thair
fredoum, and that betuix this and the nixt wapinschawingis.
31*^ October, 1523.
The said day, all the toun, warnit be the handbell to convein within the
tolbuith of the said burghe, for the commont weill of the saim, and the
maist pairt beand convenit for the tyme, and thair it was schavin to thame
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 107
be ane honorabill man, Johne Collisone, quhow thair provest wes trublit 3ist October.
and chargit to remayne in Edinburgh for tjie furnessing of thair carris, ^'^^'
horsis, and men, vnder the payne of tynsell lif, land, and guyd ; and at
thair wantit ane great pairt of the said carris, horsis, and the laif inlaikit
expenssis, the quhilk the said provest behuyid to furnish the hail nomer
furtht, and gif thaim expenssis that wantet, to his gret skaitht. Quharfor
the said Johne producit in jugraent our souerane lordis letteris, chargand
the taxtaris chosyne and suorne afor to convein agane and filfurtht the
hail nomer of their carris, horsis, and cans euerilk man that had horsis
thair to send sufficient furnessing and expensis to thaim for the releving
of thair said provest, vnder the panys contenit in the said letteris. And
thairefter the said Johne requirit all the foure baillies to cause the said
taxtaris to convein incontinent to the said effect, as they wald ansuer
in the execution of their office. And incontinent the bailzeis chargit al
the said taxtaris to pass incontinent and mak ane end or thai depairtit,
of thair said taxt, certefeand thame, that and ony skaitht come throw the
want of the said furnessing, that it suld come on thame, and nocht on the
said baillies, in tyme to cum. And the said Johne requirit the said baillies
to indorse the said letteris, and deliuer thame him agane, befor witnes,
honorable men, Schir Androw Scherar, vicar of Nig ; Mr. Gilbert
Straichin ; Schir Dauid Leis ; Schir Johne Buchane ; and Schir Dauid
Lorimer, notar public, with vtheris diuerse.
21th November, 1523.
The said day, Master Johne Marschel, master of the gramar skull of
Abirden, grantit in jugment that he had offendit to his masteris of the
towne, and besoucht tham to pardone him, and confessit thaim that he
haid the schouU of thame, and suld hald the samyn lik as his predicessouris
haid downe in tyme bigane ; and the prouest, in nayme of the haile
toune, ressauit him thankfully, permittand to be him a gud master in
tyme cuming, he being than a gud seruand, as accordis him to do.
16^^ March, 1524.
The xvi of Marche, anno quo supra, it was thocht expedient be prouest,
bailzes, and sa mony of the consaill as was present for the time, because
thai war informit that my lord of Aberdeen was nocht to cum afor the
sanze, and that thar kirk had stand lang desolet of diuvne service, and this
108 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
16th March, haly tyme of Pasche quhilk now approchis, to send Thomas Menzeis of
1524. Petfoddellis, and with him ,thre horse in company, to my said lord of
Abirden, to gett a commissioun from him to sum vther bischop to cum
and reconseil the said kirk ; and requirit the prouest to mak expensis thar
one, and quhat expensis beis maid thar one, to be allowit to the saide
prouest in his first comptis, notheles the suspendaris of the said kirk being
charply persewit for the said expensis, and the gret iniuris dovne to the
said communite, quhow soone and incontinent it be fund quha was the
cause of the said kirkis suspending.
Ath April, 1524.
The said day, the haill toune, all in ane voce, chesit thir five personis :
that is to say, Gilbert Menzes, provest, Schir Johne Ruthyrfurd, Andro
CuUane, Johne Collisone, and James CoUisone, commissaris to the haill
toun, to prouid and considder quhar money sail be gotten to outred and
pay my lord Arskyn of his pentioun, and to outred and pay Patre Barroun,
of the soume taxt on the said toun for wanting of thair carriagis, for the
quhilk soomis our souerane lordis letteris ar direct, quhilkis hes beyne
diuerse [tymes] present in jugment, to put the provest, baillies, and in-
duellaris of the said guyd toun to the home, gevand to thaim thair powar
to set and prolong thar takis quhar they can be fund waikand for the
outred of the sarayn. And ordanis ane commissioune to be maid to thaim
thairupone in the largest forme, chargand the keparis of thar comraond
seill to seill the samyn in dew forme.
The said day, the haill toun, all in one voce, ordanit and commandit
the counsell of the samyn, present for the tyme, to pass and modefy the
provest and Johne Colisonis expensis maid in their passing to Edinburgh,
to enter and manteyne their carriagis, horsis, and futmen, furneist to the
last oist. Quhilkis ryply avisit in the counsall house of the samyn, ifand
and ordand xl pundis to be gevin to thair said provestis expensis, and
tene pundis to the said Johne CoUisonis expensis, quhilk they ordand the
commissioneris aboue writin to provyd for.
20M April, 1524.
Colinus Comes de Ergyill Dominus Campbell et Lorn etc. Justiciarius
supremi domini nostri regis ex parte boreali aque de Forth generaliter
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 109
constitutus Vicecomiti de Abirdeine et balliuis suis salutem quia indicta- 20th April,
menta regia deo duce sunt capienda de tota ballia vestra apud burgum de ^^^^'
Aberdene die xi° et xii° die mensis Mai proxime futura cum continuacione
dierum vobis igitur precipimus et mandamus quatenus summoniatis seu
summoneri faciatis legittime et coram testibus legalibus sex vel quattuor
personas fide dignas et minus suspectas de qualibet parochia qui comperiant
coram clerico justicie supremi domini nostri regis uel eius deputatis pluribus
aut vno dictis die et loco cum dicta continuation e dierum ad sursum redendi
indictamenta regia de personis qui remanserunt ab exercitu regio per
eundem dominum gubernatorera ducto apud Saluay in mense Septem-
bris anno Domini j™ v'' xii et ab excersitu regio per eundem domi-
num nostrum gubernatorera directo apud Vark in Anglia in mense
Octobris anno Domini j™ 7*= xxiij° et ad faciendum determinandum
id quod in hac parte juris ordo requirit et setis vos vicecomes vel ministri
vestri ibidem dictis die et loco cum dicta continuacione dierum habentes
vobiscum summonitionis vestri testimonium et hoc preceptum prouideatis
etc. pro expensis dictorum clericorum quas vobis imprimis compotis de
exitibus justiciarie reddendas faciemus plenarie allocari et hoc nuUo modo
omittas sub omni pena que competere poterit in hac parte Datum sub sigillo
officii justicie domini nostri regis apud Edinburgh vicesimo die mensis
Aprilis anno Domini j™ v* xxiiij"*-
I3th Maij, 1524.
The said day, it was thocht expedient, and commandit and chargit be
the prouest and conseill present for the time, that ilk bailze pass throcht
his quarter, and cerse and seik all vnlauchtful nychtbouris, and cause all
sic be remowit the towne ; inlikwise all begaris excep tham that ar natif
borne within this tovne.
lAth October, 1524.
The said day, the baillies chargit thair officiar to pass and charge all
the pynouris that vsis till leid fulze to pass and clenge the kingis get and
commend myddingis within the said burgh incontinent or euer thai do
ony vthyr labour ; and failzeing thairof, that thai tak thair horse and cartis,
and cause the samin be donn on thair awin expensis, and thai to pay the
baillies vnlaw, vnforgevin.
p
110 EXTKACTS FROM THE COUNCIL EEGISTER
30th June, 20M Juiie^ 1525.
1525. "pjjg gj^j(j ^ay, the prowest, baillies, counsell, and communite, present
for the tyme, consentit to the ewynning of thair Castelhill, and dyking the
same about.
The said day, the prowest, baillies, counsell, And communite of the said
burgh, present for the tyme, consentit and ordanit Wilzeam, bonatmakar,
to pass with thair hand bell throicht the toun yerlie, and to haue the samyn
in office vnder Dauid Colp, for al the dais of his life, but ony impediment.
21** July, 1525.
The said day, the haill tovne, being warnit be thar hand bell, and pre-
sent in the tolbuitht of the samyn, for the mest, and the auld statut maid
for the ressayt and luging of strangaris, quhilk is contenit at lenght in
thar buk of statuttis, being oppenly red in presens of thame, thai all, in
ane woice, ratifeit and apprevit the samyn, and the pannis contenit tharin
requirand the prouest and balzeis to put the samyn to dew executioun, as
thai wald ansuir to God and to the king thar apone.
14fA August, 1525.
James, be the grace of God king of Scottis, to our shireff of Aberdene
and his deputis, and to our louittis Schyr Jhone Ruderfurd, knycht, and
Thomas Menzeis of Petfothellis, oure shireffis in that pairt, coniunctlie and
seueralie, specialie constitut, greting : Forsamekill as it is humelie meynit
and schewin to ws be ane reuerend fader in God, and our traist consalour,
Gawyne bischop of Aberdene, that quhare syndry strangearis and otheris
within his diocesy of Aberdene, has bukis of that heretik Luthyr, and
favoris his arrorys and fals opinionys incontar oure act of Parliament laitlie
maid in our last Parliament : oure will is heirfor, and we charge you
straitlie, and commandis that incontinent thir our lettres seyne, ye publise
the saide act at all places ueydfull, and tak inquisitione gyf ony persons
be fundin within the sayde diocesy of Aberdene that hes sic bukys, or
fauoris sic arorys of the sayd Luthyr ; and that ye confisk thair gudis
and inbryng the samyn to our wse and profitt, efter the forme of the said
act, as ye will ansuer tbarapoun ; the quhilk to do, we commyt to yow, con-
iunctlie and seuerallie, oure full power be thir our lettres, deliuering thame
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. Ill
be yow deulie execut and indorsit agane to the berar. Gewin vnder our i-tth August,
signet, at Edinburgh the sevint day of August, and of our regnne the xii ^'^^''•
yeyr.
Ex deliberatione dominorura consilii. J. Chepman.
In the parlyament haldyne at Edinburgh the xvii day of Julij, the yer
of God ane thousand, v*= and xxv yeris, the quhilk day it was statut and
ordanit that forsamekle as the dampnable opinzeons of herecy ar spred
in diuerse contreis be the heretik Luther, and his disciples ; and this
realme and leigis hes fermly persistit in the haUe faith sen the samyn was
first ressauit be thame, and nevir, as yit, adraittit ony opinzounes contrar
the Christan faith, bot evyr has beyne cleyne of all sic filth and vice,
therfor, that na manner of persone strengear, nor other that hapnys to
arrife with thair schippys within ony port of this realme, bring with thame
ony bukys or verkys of the saide Lutheris, his disciplis or seruandis,
desput or rehers his hereseys or opunzeounes, bot gyfe it be to the con-
fusione thairof, vndyr the paine of escheting of thair schippis and gudis,
and putting of thair personnys in presone. And that this act be publist
and proclamit out throw this realme, at all portis and burrowis of the
samyn, sa that thai may allege na ignorance thairof. Extractum de libro
actorum parliamenti per me Gawinum Episcopum Abirdonensem clericum
rotulorum registri ac consilii supremi domini nostri sub meis signo et sub-
scriptione manualibus.
Id October, 1525.
The said day, the prowest, bailies, and counsell, with consent and assent
of all the haill comraunite, thei beand circualie inquirit be the officiaris, na
maner of person opponand nor sayand in the contrar, maid, creat, and or-
danit rycht honourable men, that is to say, Thomas Menzes of Pitfoddellis,
thar prowest for the tyme, Gilbert Menzes of Fyndoun, Sir lohnne Ruther-
ford, Andro CuUan, and William Rolland, thair verie lauchfuU and undoutit
commissaris, to set and prolong all and syndrie their fischings and takis, baitht
to burgh and to land, now waikind and beand in thair handis, to burges and
induellars the said burgh now actuallie, and to nane uthers, and to nae maner
of person quhilks wes art or part of the cruell murther, slauchter, mutila-
toun, and hurting of their nychtbours, prowest, baillies, and oflBciaris, maid
on thame under silence of nycht, be Alexr. Setoun of Meldrum, lohnne
112 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
2d October, Leslie of Wardors, Willzeame Leslie of Bognhane, Alexr. Leslie of that
^***' ilk, thair sonns and ayris, complecis and pairt takaris, to the nomer of iiii **
speris, or thereby, be solstation of lohnne Collison eldar, and his com-
plesces, with power to the saids commissaris to set the said tacks and
fisching for five years immediat foUowand the vigill of Sanct Androw nixt to
cum, and thair commissoun to be maid under thair commund seill to the
saids commissaris, in the largest forme, to this efiect : Promittand thame
and ilk ane of thame to keip firme and staple be the fathis in thair bodeis.
Witnes, Mr. lohnne Merschell, Mr. Wm. Meldrum, Mr. Wm. Philpson,
and Sir Dauid Lorimar, notar, with utheris and syndrie.
The said day, the prowest, bailies, counsell, and communite, ratifeit, ap-
prewit, and conferrait the statut made be thame the last day of September
immediat gangand befor the dait heirof, promittand faithfullie to keip the
samyn ferme and stable and inviolat in all tymes cummyng, be the treutht
and faitht in thair bodies.
6th October, 1525.
The said day, the haill toun, warnit personalie be the officiaris, on the
gild curt day, all in ane voce, baitht fre and unfre, obleist thame and ilkane
of thame, be the faithis in thair bodeis, euerie ilk man be him self tuechand
the haly croce, and inquirit to obserwe and keip lelelie and trwelie all and
syndrie the statutis maid at thair command be the prowest and counsell
aboune writtin, that is to say, for the reparatioun and upbiging thair portis,
wennallis, bak dykes, and for zetts, witht all vther necessar waist placis,
throw the quhilk thai may incur ony danger. And sicklik chargand Dauid
Andersoun, thair maister of Sanct Nicholace wark, to deliuer all money
he hes or ma get perteining to the Patroun, togidder witht stanis, lyme,
tymmer, and uthir thing that he hes queir of, to the wpbiging of the said
portis, and uthir places necessar. Secundlie, to haue [ ] personis to
waitht therto baitht nychtlie, and that to be gottin amangis the haill
toun, euerie ilk man his nycht about, and to ring the commond bell quhen
thai ar persewit. And atoure to haue the stepill of the tolbuitht and Sanct
Nicholace stepill daylie wachit, and to ring the bell quhen thai se ony per-
sonis cummand ridand to the toun. Item, to fe tua or thre gunnars for
tua or thre monetht, to thair artailzerie, and young and able men, to get
culwerings, cors bowis, and hand bowis, and wss schitting witht the samyn,
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 113
and siclik all that may furneiss to thame mak speris that wantis. And 6th October,
atoure to hald wappinschawingis euerie ilk wolk or monetht tuyss, as the
prowest and counsell thinks maist expedient. And sicklik the prowest and
his well awisit counsell to mak billis of complaint to the kingis grace and
lordis of counsell, for the cruell slauchteris, mutilatiounis, and hurts doyne
amang thame under silence of nycht, be thair neychbours about, and to
mak large expensis on the samyn, and to mak writtings in the best forme
thai can to the lordis and men of gud in the cuntra bout thaim, to sey and
feill thair minds to thaim and se quhome in thai ma lippin in. Thirdly,
that na maner of person within this toun dwelland ressat or lugis ony maner
of personis without the prowest lischence ; and quhat sumeuer personis that
beis suspekit to have ony suspek person within thaim, to have thair zettis and
douris reddy oppin to the prowest and bailies to exerss the samyn and sic
like, to keip the counsell of this guid toun, and warne otheris of otheris
skaitht, and to be leill trew ilk ane to otheris, and riss with thair prowest
at all tyme, for the defence of thaim self and guid toun, under the painis
contanit in the said statituts, quhilk is contanit in thair books of statuts at
mair lynth, in all and sindrie the pontis and artikillis forsaid, and this statut
maid be all thair consents, and hes band and oblest thaim to obserue and
keip the samyn, under all payne and chargis contanit thairin, befor thair
witnes, honorable men, Alexr. Stratoun of Lowrastown, Gilbert Myddel-
town of that ilk, George Gordoun in Byrnes, Andro Stratoun of Wagy,
James Ogilvy of Mathers, Mr. Wm. Cheyne, and Sir Wm. Cup.
The said day, the prowest, baillies, counsell, and comm unite, all in ane
voce, chargit Dauid Andersoun, maister of Sanct Nicholace wark, to de-
liuer all mony, tymmir, stanis, lyme, and all other thing necessar perteining
to the Patroun quhilk he hes quarof, and that to the reparatoun and upbig-
ing of thair portis, and all necessar things within the toun for thair defence,
ofFerin thame to keip him skaithles at al tyme ; on the quhilk the said Dauid
tuik instrument, that he wes chargit be the haill toun to deliuer the samyn,
and that it suld nocht turne him nor his ayris till na preiudice in tymes
cumming befor the forsaid witnes, and Maister Coppin Scheres, and Sir
Dauid Lorimer, notaris public.
The said day, the haill toun hes continuit the said Dauid Andersoun to
ramayne maister of Sanct Nicholace wark for this nixt year, and denis of
114 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
eth October, gild, flcss pilsars, and other oflRce that wes the last year to be continewit
^*^- thair in this year into cum, and to be leill and trew thairto aifter the te-
nour of thair aitht.
The said day, Dauid Andersoun, maister of Sanct Nicholace wark, re-
quir the prowest and counsell to sit down and resaue his comp of Sanct
Nicholace wark of the five yeris bigane, protestand that gif thai did nocht,
that he wes quit of the clame thairof in tyme cumming, and that thai suld
haue na thingis to say to him nor his barnis anence the samyn in tyraes
cumming ; and that becauss he had requirit thaim oft and diuerss tymes
therto And the haill toun chesit the personis wnderurit-
ting to sit doun incontinent and ressaue his compt and dischargis him therof :
that is to say, the prowest, Gilbert Menzes, Andro Cullan, Alex. Gray,
George Bissat, Wilzeum Holland, and Johnne Blak ; the quhilk personis
wes suorne into inquerit to the samyn.
21 5^ March, 1526.
The said day, the haill tovnn, varnit be the handbell, and be the offi-
ciaris of the same, conuenit for the raaist pairt in the tolbuith of the same,
representand the body of the tovne for the tyme, all in ane voce com-
mandit and chargit the prouest and consall to cloise the tovnn, and bred
the portis of the same, and oupmak all wydis and waistis, to gar grant
thair artailzere and gunnaris to the same, one the tovnis expensis ; to set
wechis baith within the tovne and without, to dellut thame fra thair
ennemyes ; and ordand the rediest of the tovnes gudis to be exponit one
the same.
\Qth April, 1526.
The said day, the haill tovnn, beand oppinlie warnit be the handbell,
passand throw all the toun, and circualie warnit be the officiaris, for the
maist pairt all, in ane voce, consentit, ratefeit, and apprevit and ordanit
the prowest and counsell of the said toun, or the maist pairt therof, to
prowyd for ane honest propyne to oure souerane lord the kingis grace, now
to his first commyng to this guyd toun. And to the lords and nobillis of
his counsel], and for all other necessaris, according to the honour of the
guyd toun, and to provid for expensiss thairof of the radiest of the townis
gudis, that the guyd nayme and honour of this guyd toune, wone be ther
noble progenitors, decad nocht in thair tyme.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 115
The said day, it is diuyisit and thocht expedient be the prowest, baillies, I6th April,
and counsell of this guyd toun, that thar be propynit to the kingis grace, ^^^^•
now at his first intress, in the first, sax potionis of wyne, or the awall of
the samyn, in stark mychty wynes and small wynnis. Item, sax stayne of
wax, xxxiiii lib. of scorcheatis, tua sed mettis, foure chaldyr of collis.
Item, to the lordis of consale ; inprimis to the justice, ane potioun of
wyne ; item, to my lord chancellar, ane potioun of wyne ; to my lord of
Anguss, ane potioun of wyne ; and [ ] all wther in smallis, ane
potioun of wyne.
I3th January^ 1527.
The said day, the haill townn beand gaderit and conuenit within the
tolbuith for the maist part, the prouest exponit and schew to thame quhow
that the kingis grace with his lordis of counsaill ar to cum incontinent to
this guid townn, to the haldin of ane justice ayre. Quhairfor he chargit
all and sundry the nychtbours of the said guid townn, that nayne of tham
satt thair luggenis and husis to na maner of man quhill the kingis suriouris
cum, that the townn may knaw quhat lordis and men of guid cumis with
him, and thairefter the luggenis and innis ma be sett to tham, be the awiss
of the prowest and consall, to ilk man efter his awin estat. And alsuay
chargit the stabillaris that thai graitht thair stabillis in the honestest
fasaun thai can ; and that thai haue corne and fodder to sell to furniss the
said stabillis sa mony horss as thai will ressaue. And in likwiss he chargit
the baxteris, flescharis, and brostaris to furneiss and decoir the said tovnn,
ilk ane for thair awin craft, as wald ansuer to the guid tounn thairin ; and
gif thai war negligent in ony thing, thai suld nocht say that it was his fait,
becaus he warnit thame in dew tyrae, one the whilk he desirit instrumentis
witness, Andro CuUane, Thomas Menzeis, lohne Collisone elder, Maister
Andro Tulidef, and Alexander Rutherfuird, with wtheris, duerss and
sundry, acta in pretorio.
\2th February, 1527.
Apud Abirdene xii° Februarii anno 1527. The quhilk day, in presens
of our souerane lordis justice, and componitouris Willeame Leslie of Buch-
quhane, and Jhone Leslie of Warderis, obleist thame conjunctlie and seue-
ralie to our souerane lordis the kingis grace for thame selfis, thair kyne
frendis, men tenentis, seruandis, adherentis, and part-takaris, and all that
116 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
12th Februar}-, thai may lat, that thai nor nane of thame sail nocht molest, wex, inquiett,
^^^ nor trouble the prouest, bailzeis, counsaill, communite, and inhabitaris the
burgh of Abirden, or ony ane of thame, ony manner of way in tyme cum-
ming in thair personis, landis, or gudis, utherwais than law will, vnder the
pane of twa thousand pundis, to be aplyit to our souerane lordis use ; and
gif it sal happen ony of the forsaid lairdis of Buchquhane and Wardens,
thair kyne frendis, men seruandis, adherentis, and pairt-takaris, to mak ony
truble or molestatioun to ony of the inhabitaris of the said burgh, ether
within the samyn or outwith, the saidis lairdis of Buchquhane and War-
dens deliuerand the persone or personis makand the said brak or truble to the
prouest or bailleis of the said burgh, to the effect that justice may be done
one tham, sail nocht incur the panis forsaidis. Extractum de libro adjor-
nalis S.D.N, regis per me Nicolaum Craufurd de Oxen gangis clericum
justiciarie ejusdem generalem sub meis signo et subscriptione manualibus.
[On the same day, a similar obligation was come under by John Lord
Forbes.]
1st April, 1527.
The said day, the haill tovne, bayth marchandis and craftismen, beand
in the tolbuith, for the maist part consent and ordinit that the prouest and
consall sett dovne and avisit with my lord of Aberdenis petitioun anent the
intermeling with the brig, and gaif ane sufficient ansuere to him of the
same, except Johne Anderson elder, quhilk said he wad nocht mell with
sik materis.
The said day, the haill tovne, all in ane voce, thankit gretly thar lord
and bischop of Aberden for the gret plesour and proffeit done to thame in
the biging of the brig of Dee, and of the gret offeris promittit to tham be
his lordschip, for the vphald of the samyn, and ressauit glaidly the saidis
offeret, and promest to ane rycht worschipful clerk, Maister Alexander
Hay, parsone of Turref, and commissar generall to the said lord, to awise
with the said offeris to thar lawday efter Pesche, and then to give a finell
ansuir to the said lord.
30th April, 1527.
The said day, the prowest, bailzeis, consall, and communite ordanit that
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 117
the Lord of Bonnaccord and his fallow be ansuerit of x merks of the fyrst 30th April,
fremen that hapynnis to be frathinfurht, becauss it is the auld wes, and hes i^^-
bene usit a lang tyme of befor within this guid toune.
^th Mayy 1527.
The said day, it was sufficientlie provin afor the baillies and a pairt of
counsall, present for the tyme, be famouss diuerss witnes, that the Egip-
tiens tuk out of Thomas Watsouns houss tua siluer spounis. Hand in the
locker of ane schryne, quhilkis contenit ilk ane a wnce of siluer, quhairfor
thai chargit Eken Jaks, maister of the said Egiptiens, to deliuer the said
spovniss agane, or thane thair awaill, within xxiiii houris, becauss he an-
suerit and come guid for his cumpany in jugement ; and as to the money
the said Thomas allagit tane away be thame, the bailzeis continewit the
same, quhilk thai got na witnes to preif mair cleirlie. And atoure, John
Watsoun, and his mother and serwand, was maid quit of all strublance of the
said Egiptiens, and that was gevin for dovin.
M June, 1527.
This is the ansuer of the tovnn of Abirden gevin to my lord of Abirdene
anent the brig of Dee.
My lord, we your seruandis, prouest, bailzeis, consull, and comunite of
Abirdene, hes ressauit your l[ordschipis] guid mynd, exponit to vs be your
commissar, Maister Alexander Hay, persoun of Turref, tuching of your
l[ordschipis] brig of Dee, fundit, biget, and endit one your grit, hie, and
exorbitand expensis, for the perpetuall commond weill of the cuntra and of
ws ; of the quhilkis guid deid and mynd God eternall revard yow, for we
ma nocht ; and quhar your lordschip desiris ws and our successouris to be
bundin to the ouphaldin of the said brig, it beand completit one your ex-
pensis, in the maist souer wise cane be devisit be wismen and men of craft
in all thingis necessaris ; and at your lordschip will infeft ws and our suc-
cessouris in your landis of Ardlar, to be haldin of yow and your succes-
souris in few, we ar hartlie contentit of the same, makand ws souer thairof
be the pape, the prince, your chartour, and all wther handis necessar, for
we desyir na inconuenient, bot to be maid souer ; quhilk we vnderstand is
your l[ordschipis] guid mynd. Nochtwithstanding, gif your l[ordschip] may
eislie infeft ws in ony of your landis liand mair evnse to ws, or interchange
the saidis landis with wtheris haiffand landis liand mair ewnse to ws, lik as
Q
118 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
3u June, Rudrestoun, or ony vther sik lik, it var profetable for the conseruacioun of
15*7. your said l[ordscliipis] vark, and plesand, and ewnse ; quhilk we refer haill
to your l[ordschipis] plesour, besaikand yow to labour the same gif ye ma
guidlie. And atour, we considerand the mony guid turnis done be your
l[ordschip] within your diocy to your cathedral and vther places, and wn-
derstanden at your l[ordschip] hes na kyrk within your diocy appropriat to
your mitar except our mother kyrk, we vald exort your l[ordship] to help
to sum notable turne to be done thairto ; to the quhilk we sail put our handis
in the largeist forme be the sycht of your l[ordschip], that sum remembrance
ma reman thairin of yow, lik as is of mony of your reuerend predecessouris,
Bischop Thomas Spens, and Bischop Wm. Elphinstoun. In this cause,
and all wtheris, referrand ws to your l[ordschipis] plesour, to the quhilkis
we ar gritlie indettit, as knowis the grit God eternall, quhome mot conserue
your l[ordschip] in sawill and body at your noble desyir.
Your l[ordschipis] seruandis,
Prouest, bailzeis, consail, and comunite of your burght of Abirdeiie.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, consaill, and communitie of Abirden,
being present in the tovnn for the tyme, personalie varnit be thair officeris
for the maist pairt, and generalie be thair hand bell opynlie passand thro all
the rewis of the said burght, quhilk was sufficientlie provin in iugraent, and
thai being conuenit within the tolbuith of the samyn, for the maist part re-
presentand the haill body of the tovne for the tyme, all in ane voce, thai
beand circulie inquirit be Dauid Andersoun, ane of the bailzeis of this
burght, except the persounis of the quhilkis, the namis sail follow efteruart,
consentit and assentit to indenter with my lord of Abirdene for the keping,
ouphaldin, and conseruacioun of his brig of Dee for thame and thair suc-
cessouris, sa lang as thai and thair successouris brukis, or ma bruik, peciablie
the landis of Ardlar, gevin and assignit to thame be his lordschip; and gif
the said land beis ouptenit fra thame or thair successouris, of law and res-
soun, that thai sail be na langer indettit to the ouphaldin of the said brig bot
of thair guid will and beneuolence, and with this conditioun that the n)ony
and proffeit of the said land be put in ferme keping, to the effect of the oup-
haldin of the said brig, and nocht to be exponit in vothir vssis, and at thair
be iij keyis of the samyn, the chaptour of Auld Aberdene to haue the tane
in keiping, the prouest and guid toun the tother, and ane of the principalis
dekynnis of the craftis of Abirdene the thrid, and this band to be maid in
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 119
the souerest forme to the effect within writtin. Thir ar the narais of thame 3d June,
that dissentit to the making of this band : Alex. Ruthirfuird, Jhone Blak, ^^^'
Jhone Andersoun, Jhone Craik, Georg Bissat yovnger, Jhone Crau-
furd, Jhone Ratray, Androv Cosin, Androv Smang, Dane Bruce, Jhone
Breching, and Sanderis Gray youngar.
The said day, Gilbert Menzeis desirit instrument that the haill tovnn
assentit to my Lord Abirdenis band tuching his brig of Dee, except the
persounis aboun writin, in the consenting to the same. And Alex. Ruthyr-
furd and Jhone Ratray desirit instrumentis that tha and certane wtheris
dissentit to the said band. Witnes, the haill court.
8th November, 1527.
The said day, the provest, bailzeis, consaill, and communite of Abirden,
beand present in the tovnn for the tyme, personaliter varnit be the oificeris,
and generaly be the hand bell passand throw all the rewis of the said brught,
quhilk vas sufficientlie provin in iugment, conuenit within the tolbuith of
the same, for the maist part representand the haill body of the tovnn, all in
ane voce, thai beand circulye inquirit be that soraera officiar, consent yit as
abefor to bind thame, thair ayres and successouris, for the keiping, ouphald-
ing, and conseruacioun of the brig of Dee, bigit be ane reuerend father in
God, Gavane Bischop of Aberdene, salang as thai and thar successouris
bruikis, or may bruik, peciabilly the landis of Ardlar, gevin and assignit to
thame be his l[ordschip] for the ouphald of the said brig ; and gif the sadis
landis beis ouptenit fra thame be the law, that this band salbe of nayn availl
frathinfurth, and thai sail nocht be indettit langar to ouphald the same.
llth October, 1527.
The said day, all thir personis vnder writin, of thair awin fre motiwe,
will, one coakit or compellit be ony maner of persone, gaif, grantit, and
promest the sovmis of money efter following, ilk man for ilk self, to the fur-
nessing and hying of tua haill standis of clayth of gold : that is to say, tua
chesopis, four tunnekillis, with vthcr small thingis efferand thairto, to the
tua capis of claith thai haue gottin and bocht ellis, to the decoracioun and
honoring of God, our lady, and thair gloriuss patrovn Sanct Nicholas, and
all diwyne seruice within thair paireis kyrk : that is to say, in the first, Gil-
bert Menzeis, provest, tua lib. grit ; Andro CuUan, ane lib. grit ; Thomas
Menzeis, ane lib. grit ; William Rolland, ane lib. grit ; Dauide Andersoun,
120 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
nth October, ane lib. grit ; Duncane Mar, v s. grit ; Duncane Collisoun, v s. grit ; Georg
^**'- Bisset elder, ane lib. grit ; Alexander Ruthirfurd, v s. grit ; Jhone Col-
lisoun yovngar, v s. grit ; Jhone Collisoun elder, ane barrell of grylse, &c.
ISth October, 1527.
The said day, the maister of the grammar schuill exponit to the town
that thair grammar schuill was decaden and abill to fall down. And ther-
efter the provest, bailzeis, consail, and communitie, commandit and chargit
thair maister of kyrk wark to big and mend the same one the tovnnis ex-
pen sis, and that incontinent.
2lst December, 1527.
The said day, it was devisit and thocht expedient be the provost,
bailzeis, and consail of this guid town, that thar be takin ii tovnis of the
best of the new wynnis, and put in ane sellar be thame self, to propin the
kingis grace at his fyrst cumming to this burcht, and the laif of the lordis
of his consaill, as for wax and wyn geir according thairto, tha continow
quhill thai be forthyr avisit quhat sail be done- in all sic thingis tuiching
the saidis propinis.
The said day, the consaill ordinit that the provest suld pay the Lord
Forbes his tovnn of wyne of this new wyn laitlie cummin, whilk tovnn thai
promest yeirlie to him afore for the keping of the radis of salmont fische
of Dee and Done within his bovndis, and that incontinent, and chargit the
said provest to tak samekle of the readiest of thair comraond gudis as wald
set up the same agane.
I2th February, 1528.
The said day, it was statut and ordinit be the haill counsaill present for
the tyme, that gif Wille Lorimar, George Saidlar, Robert Cochrane, or
ony wthir craftismen, beis fuddin gangand one the gait fra tene howris at
ewin furth without lauchtfuU besyness and erandis considerit to be resson-
able to the counsaill, and beis conuiket thairof, to be bannest the townn one
the mome for yeir and day, and that was gewin for dowme.
Uh June, 1528.
The said day, the bailzeis commandit and chargit all and sindrie the huk-
staris within this burght, presentlie in iugment, that nayne of tham tak one
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 121
hand to by butter, cheis, nor eggis, quhill it be present to the merkat, nor 6th June,
yit in the merkat quhill a xi owris afore noone, wnder the pane of escheet- ^^^•
ing of the samyn efter thai haue bocht it. And chargit all thair oflSciaris
to wait on tham and the merkat frathinfurth, for the samyn effect, and gif
tha se ony of tham brak ony of the thingis aboun writin, to tak it fra thame
incontinent that tha by, and dispone the tane half to the puir folkis, and the
tother half to thame self for thair laueris.
3c? August, 1528.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, and counsaill gaif, grantit, and as-
signit to thair lovits, Jhone Ratray and Gilbert Malisoun, thair Abbatis,
out of ressoun of this instant year for thair feis, the nyxt twa fremen that
hapins to be maid and desirit be thame.
5th September, 1528.
The said day, the personis aboun writin consentit to propin Maister
Hector Boyis to his maister ack in theologie, with ane townn of wyne, gif
he will bid quhill new wynnis cum hayme, or thane with tuenty lib. Scottis,
to help to by him bonatis, quhilk of thame he thinkis maist expedient, at
his awin plesour. And the said counsail to conuein this day efter nowne,
in the prowest innis, to se and devise quhar this mony salbe esiast gottin.
Qth September, 1528.
The said day, all the quhit fischaris, in ane consent, beand warnit to this
day and conwenit for the maist part, consentit to gif to thair chaplane and
ortour, Schir Alexr. Rossell, baith maisteris, skiparis, and seruandis of
euery lyne, xii d. in the yeir, to be pait to him at tua termis, Witsonday
and Mertiraes, in wyntar, be ewinlie percionis. And the skiparis and
maisters to ansuer the said Schir Alexr. of the said xii d. of euery lyne,
for himself and the seruandis that ar in the houiss with thame, and for the
wthir seruandis that ar in thair awin houiss be thame self to ansuer and
pay the same thair self to the said Schir Alexr. For the quhilkis the said
Sir Alexr. sail do dywine seruice wse and wont within the said kyrk of
Sanct Clement, that is to say, tua messis euery owik, ane one Sonday, and
ane one the Friday, lik as his antecessouris hes done in tymis bigane.
\Qth January, 1529.
The saide day, the hale toyne being convenit in the tolbuith one thair
122 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
10th January, held court, coDsentit and grantit, all in ane voce, to the seilling of Maister
Johns Bissatis pensioun of ten merkis, gevin to him be the said tovn, for the
Weill of thair grammar skuill and thair barnis, lik as is contenit in thair band
maid to him one the said pencione at lynth ; and ordanit the keiparis of
thair commone seill to seill the samyn band, in the best sort, with the
tovnis commond seill, on the quhilk the said Maister lohne tuik instru-
ment. Vitnes, Andro Wod, Robert Wood, Gilbert Tulidef, Schir Dauid
Lorimar, and Maister Johne Nicholsoun, notar publick, with wtheris
diuerse.
25ih February^ 1529.
The said day, Jhone Ratray promest in iugment to cause warkmen
enter to the Castell hill one Monnonday nyxt cumis, to grayth and dyik
the samyn, the tovnn furstand him expensis to do the samyn, and Maister
Androv Tulidef promest him xx s. of vnlawis to do the samyn.
1th May, 1529.
The saide day, the haill townn being convenit within the tolbuith, for the
maist part be thair hand bell passand throw all the rowis of the toune, for
certane actionis concerning thair commond weill, and tha being circularie
inquirit be Duncane Mar, bailze, consentit and grantit, ilk man for thame
self, and alse all in ane voce, to gif Maister Johne Bissat, maister of the
grammar skuill, yeirlie and termelie, at tua termis in the yeir, be ewinlie
porcionis, the sowme of tene lib. Scottis, to help to pay his burd aye
and quhill tha prowid him ane benefice, peccable, of tene merkis Scottis,
for all the dais of his liwe, for the rewill and gydin of thair skuill, teching
of tham, because now thair said skuill is desert and destitut of barnis,
and wilbe ane lang tyme or it cum to perfectioun, that he ma get
mekle profFeit thairof, and ordinit thair band to be maid to hyra thair-
one in the maist sour wise, in the prowest, balzeis, counsall, and com-
rauniteis behaflSs, wnder thair secreit seill, hawand the strynth of thair
commond seill.
1th June, 1529.
The samyn day, considering the hawy murmour one the belman be the
landuart men, it is thocht expedient and ordinit be the counsaill, that Dauid
Colp be warnit agane Furisday afor the counsaill, and at thair be ane
mesour of irine maid to the belman, to tak his dwitie of the landuart men
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 123
of quantitie, as beis thocht expedient be the said counsaill, and he to tak 7th June.
na mair of thame than the said raesour. i^'^
20th July, 1529.
The said day, the haill toun, present for the tyme, grantit and consentit,
all in ane voce, to the walling of thair toun, and ordinit that thair said be
four raarchandis of euery quartar, togidder with the dekynnis of the craft of
the said quartaris, quhilkis said pass this efternovne with the prouest and ane
venerable clerk, Maister Alex. Gallaway, persoun of Kynkell, to pass and
vesy the circumstance of the said toun, and devise quhar it mycht be maist
speidfull and esy to begyne to fowse and waw the said towne, and to de-
vise maisteris of wark bursouris, and quhar mony and furnesing mycht be
gottin to the same. Thir ar the namis of the merchandis ordanit to pas as
said is : in the ewin quartar, Jhone Collisoun, Andrew Cullan, Thomas
Menzes, Patre Leslie, with Dauid Andersoun, bailzie ; in the cruikit quar-
tar, Duncan Collisoune, Alex. Rutherfurd, Jhone Arthour, and Robert
Cultis, with Duncane Mar, bailze ; in the Grene quarter, Jhone Ruthyr-
furd, Mathow Branche, Alex. Gray, and Georg Bissait, with Patrik For-
bes, oailze ; in the Futy quarter, Maister Androw Tulideff, Jhone Rattray,
Jhone Malisoun, and Thomas Waus, with Willeam RoUand, bailze of the
same.
And that efter novne the said personis, for the mast part, passit, vesyit,
and considerit the ourgangand boundis of the said toun, and thair efter con-
venit in the provestis, and all in ane voce, except Androw Cullan, thocht
expedient and uecessar to begyne incontinent to the wawing of the same,
and thocht expedient that the vicar of Nigg and Schir Willeame Couper
said be bursouris to ressaue and deliuer the raony to the effect forsaid, and
that Thomas Menzeis and Maister Androw Tulideff, with thair guid wil-
laris thay wald cheise to assist to thame, suld be maisteris of wark for thir
tua moneth of August and September nyxt to cum, with the awyse and
counsaill of the forsaid persoun of Kynkell, as principall directour and
gydar thairof.
23rf July, 1529.
The said day, the provest, bailzeis, consaill, and communite, present for
the tyme, al in ane wouce, except thir personis, Patrick Leslie, Johne Blak,
124 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
23d July. Thome Blak, Jhone Chamer, Johne Andersone, Richert Waus, Andro
1629. Craufurd elder, Gilbert Hay, and Georg Crag, assentit and consentit
that thair comraont seill suld be affixit to the band and procuratory diuisit
be the persone of Kinkell, for the wawing and fowsane of this towne, and
ratifeit and apprevit the procuratouris, masteris of wark, and thresaureris
schoschin to that effect, quhilkis accept and tak one thame the said ofiBce,
proviand all ways that the saidis procuratouris and masteris of wark haue
na powar to taxt the nychtbouris of the towne forthir thane thir plesour, to
the effect forsaid.
21 th July, 1529.
It is statut alikwyse, that na maner of nychtbour, within this towne
duelland, berbery nor luge ony maner of strangear, of quhat degre or
faculte thai be, except thai cum to the prouest or bailze and ask and vptene
leif to luge the samyn.
And inlikwise if thai sail happin, ony maner of person, to be seik in this
gude tovne, that thai send incontinent and auertise the provest and balzeis
thairof, and that na maner of persone enter in this toune bot at the said
portis, quhilkis salbe stekit at nyne houris at ewin, and opynnit at four
houris in the mornyng during the symmer sesson ; and quha sa hapynnis
to be fundin in the calsay efter ix houris, that ar nocht to the vatchis of
honest conuersatioun, that thay be takin and put in prisone quhill on the
mome thay be deliuerit to the prouest and counsall.
And that all thir statutis aboue writtin be inviolably kepit, vnder the
pane of banesing of the tovne, and ane byrne jrne to be put vpone thair
chekis that brekis ony of the saidis statutis, na request to be heard in
the contrar.
And for the furthfiUing and keping of thir statutis aboune wrytin, and
of this gude towne, because the baillies may nocht ourtak nor suffer the
haile labouris to be continuallye present, the toune hes ordanit that thair
be four habill wyse yong men in euery quarter, to help and suppley the
bailze of the samyn, and to haue siclik jurisdictioun in the bailzeis absens
as the said bailzeis has in this gude tovne, that is to say, in the ewin
quarter, Johne Hay, Johne Murray, Dauid Errot, and Alexr. Nicholsoun,
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 125
and Valter Leslie ; in the crukit quarter, Alexr. Gray, Johne Collison 27th July,
younger, Gilbert Malyson, and Robert Wod ; in the Grene quarter, Johne ^^^•
Rutherfurd, Richard Wause, Mathow Branche, and Androw Durtye;
in Futty quarter, Johne Rattre, Duncane Mar, Alexr. Menzes, and
Johne Chalmer.
The said day, the hail towne, warnit be thair ofl&ciaris in speciall, and in
generall be thair hand bell, and convenit within the tolbouth of the same, for
the maist pairt consentit and grantit, all in ane woce, to affix thair coraont
seill to the coramissioun afore writtin, and inlikwise to the procuratory
maid be thame for the wawing of thair towne ; and ordanis the keiparis of
the said seill to cause thar comont clerk seill the same, because thai thocht
the same for the comment weill.
And attour all the nychtbouris of the said burtht present, in ane awoce
consentit and grantit that every nichtbour within this toune duelling, suld
fyne a man to laubour at the fowsseis of this towne anys ilk xx'^ dayis,
quhen they ar requirit be the officiars, and failzeand that thai send nocht
a sufficient man to the said labour, to pay viij d. for a seruandis fee, to
the quhilk thai oblegit thame of thar awne fre wil and deliueryt mynd.
22</ October, 1529.
The said day, it is devisit and ordanit be the provest and counsaill, pre-
sent for the tyme, that Wm. Cuik, officiar, begyne this nycht at the nycht-
bouris quhar he left at the clangein of the locht, and warne ane of ilk house
of merchandis and craftismen duelland within this burght, that is to say
dalie, tua personis sufficient, that beis thocht sufficient and lauchtfull to the
bailzes, to pas dalie to the brig of De, and ramane thair continualie fray vj
houris in the morning quhill vj houris at ewin, during all the tym it hapnis
this contagius plaige and pestilance to ring, for keiping of this guid tovne
fra the samyn, and to lat nane our the said brig without testimoniall quhat
place thai come fra, and that the officiaris present the said personis dalie
one the nycht afor to the said bailzes, to consider quhidder thai be sufficient
or nocht, and sua proceden throcht all the said contrai, and all the lafe of
the said tone alse of as neid beis, and quha that be is warnit be the officiar
and sendis nocht ane sufficient man, and beis conuik thairof, the bailzeis to
fee ane man on his expensis, and alse to the bailzeis vnlaw vnforgevin.
R
126 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
10th Dec, lOM December^ 1529.
laae.
Curia balliuorum burgi de Abirden tenta in pretorio eiusdem decimo die
mensis Decembris anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo xxix" per ho-
norabiles viros magistrum Andream Tulidef et Alexandrum Ruthyrfurd.
The said day, the haill tovne, vamit be the hand bell in general, and in
special! be the oflBiceris, to convein within the tolbuith of the sarayn for
sindry and diuerse accionis concerning the comound veill of the said burght,
and thai being conuenit, for the maist representand the haill body of the
tovne for the tyme, the bell man and oflSceris varningis being lauchtfullie
provin in iugment, the provest presant in iugment the copy of the obliga-
tioun and band, desirit be my Lord of Abirden of the haill tovne, for the
ouphaldin, mentening, and biging of new, gif neid beis, of the brig of Dee,
quhilk band was opinlie red in iugment at grit lynth, in presens of the haill
communite ; and efter diuerse and sindry consultationis at this time maid, and
at diuerse wthyr tymis afor, it was fundin and concludit be the haill commu-
nite, all in ane voce, being present for the tyme, circularlie and personalie
inquirit be Alexander Ruthyrfurd, bailze, that the said band vas ressonable,
and that tha vald bind thame and thair successouris for the ouphalding of
the said brig, conforme to the said band in all punctis : quhilk thai ordinit
to be seillit with thair commont seill, and subscriuit with the handis of the
maist part of the consaill, and oblegit thame and thair successouris to keip
the samyn one filit in all maner of tymis to cum. And atour the haill tovne
ordanit that thair suld be ane kyst, denit in the souerest sort, quhilk said
haue four lokis and four keyis, in the quhilk the mony and proffeit that
mycht be had of the landis of Ardlar, geuin to thame be ane reuerend father,
Gauane Bischop of Abirden, for the ouphald of the said brig, said be put
and kepit in all tymmis to cum, to be appliet to the ouphald of the samyn,
and to na wthir vse ; of the quhilk, the provest sail haue ane in keiping,
and the merchandis ane wthir, the maisteris of the kyrk wark the thrid, and
the deikynnis of craftis the ferd. And atour the haill tovne chesit Wm. Rol-
land, Dauid Andersoun, and Sir Alex. Scherar, vicar of Nigg, maisteris
to the said brigwark, and the guid man, Androw CuUan, to be bursour, to
ressaue the mony to be deliuerit be my Lord Abirden to thame for the finale
end of the samyn brigvark, and to outgif the samyn agane, conforme to the
saidis maisteris of warkis tikatis, as salbe thocht be thame expedient, with
powar to the said maisteris and bursour to gif ane acquittance one the sovme
of thair ressat to my Lord Abirden or his factouris.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 127
And onlikwise, the provest, Androw CuUan, Jhone CoUisoun, bailzeis, and lOth Dec,
counsaill, being present for the tyme, sueir in iugment the grit bodelie ayth, ^^^"
the crucifixt being tuiching be thame, and ilk ane of thame, that thai suld
neuer intromit with the mony nor proflPeit of the said landis of Ardlar, noy-
thir in all nor in part, nor yit apply the samyn to na maner of uthir vse ex-
cept the reparing of the said brig, or to by land to be applyit to the biging
and ouphalding of the samyn. And the haill tovne statut and ordinit that
euery yeir, in the chesing of provest or bailzeis, that thai, and ilk ane of
thame that sail hapin to be chosin for that yeir, sail sweir inlikvise the grit
ayth, neuer to raell nor introraeit with the said mony but to the effect aboun
writin.
17 th December, 1529.
The said day, in the bailze court of the said burght, balden in the tol-
buith of the samyn, be the bailzeis aboun writin, in presence of ane part of
the counsaill and nychtbouris of the samyn burgh, comperit worschipfuU
clerkis, Maister Robert Elphinstoun, parsone of Kyncardin, and Maister
Alexr. Galloway, parsone of Kynkell, in name and behalf of ane reuerend
father in God, Gawane bischop of Abirden, and exponit and schew opin-
lie, in plane court, how the said reuerend father, one his grit, exorbitant,
and sumptiuiss expensis, had bigit of new ane nobill and substantius brig,
dotit and finseit with all necessaris, our the watter and rywer of Dee,
rynnand one the sovth syd of the said burght, for the commond weill, and
specialie for the weill of the burgh of Abirden ; quhilk brig and noble wark,
completit and endit substantiuslie in all necessaris, for perpetualitie of the
samyn, he, with express consent and assent of his deyne and chaptour of
the cathedrall kyrk of Abirden, all in ane voce and consent, he had gewin
to the provest, bailzeis, counsall, and coraunitie of Abirden, togidder with
the landis of Ardlar, with thair pertinente. Hand in the schire of Clat,
lordschip of Garreaucht, and shirefdome of Abirden, and infeft thame the
saidis provest, bailzeis, counsaill, and comraunite, and thair successouris,
in the samyn landis, with thair pertinente, be chartour and precept of
sesing, in dew forme, vnder his avtentick seill and subscriptioun manuall of
his hand, commound seill of his said chaptour, togidder with the subscrip-
tionis manualis of the maist part of the channownis of the said cathedrall
kyrk of Abirden, for the perpetuall mentening, reparing, mending, oup-
halding, and gif neid beis, biging of new of the said brig, als oft as it sail
128 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
17th Dec, hapin it to faill or decaid, in all or in part, in all tymis to cum, sa lang
^*^' as tha or thair successouris, provest, bailzeis, counsaill, and communite,
peciablie bruikis the said landis of Ardlar, one recouerit and ouptenit fray
tbam be the law ; to the quhilkis the saidis provest, bailyeis, counsaill, and
communite, had bundin and oblest tham and thair successouris, present
and to cum for the tyme, be ane attentik band and obligatioun, wnder
thair commond seill and subscriptionis of the maist partis of thair handis
for the tyme, togidder with the subscriptionis of diuerse famouse notaris
in the souerest forme. And thairefter, the said Maister Alexr. Galloway,
parsoun of Kynkell, deliuerit and our gaif the said brig frelie, with the
pertinente, to ane honorable man, Alexr. Ruthirfurd, ane of the bailzeis of
the said burght, sitand in iugment for the tyme, togidder with the attentik
chartour and precept of seising of the said landis of Ardlar, with thair
pertinente, seilit and subscriuit attentiklie, as is afor writin, and ressauit
be the handis of the said Alexr. Rurthirfurd the attentik band and obliga-
tioun of the said provest, bailzeis, counsaill, and communite, seillit and
subscriuit in dew forme, as said is, for the perpetuall mending, repairing,
ouphalding, and biging of new of the said brig, als oft as neid beis, as
said is. And thairefter, the saidis Maister Robert Elphinston and Alexr.
Galloway, in name and behalf of the said reuerend father, dene, and chap-
tour forsaid, oblegit thame, that gif the saidis chartour and precept of
sesing war nocht sufficientle maid and ditit at this tyme, to reforme and
mak of new the same, aye and quhill tha war fundin and considerit suffi-
cient be men of wisdome and vnderstariding ; and olikwise, the saidis pro-
vest, bailzeis, counsaill, and communite forsaid, oblegit tham and succes-
souris present and to cum, gif thair said band and obligatioun be nocht
sufficient, to reforme, mend, and mak of new the samyn, aye and quhill it
be considerit sufficient be men of law and vnderstanding, als oft as neid
beis. And forther, the saidis Maisteris Robert Elphinstoun and Alexr.
Galloway, oblegit tham, in name and behalf of the said reuerend father,
dene, and chaptour, to deliuer to the saidis provest, bailzeis, counsaill, and
communite, the haill process of the recognitioun of the saidis landis of
Ardlar, quhow tha war recognest fra wmquhil Androw Elphinstoun, &c.,
togidder with all instrumentis maid to the said reuerend father or his pre-
decessouris of the said landis, and all wther euidentis and documentis con-
cerning the samyn landis, without ony langer delay.
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 129
9th January, 1530. 9th January,
The said [day,] Sir William Ray, vmquhyle chaplane to our lady chappell ^■^'*
of the brig of Dee, deliuerit in iugment to the bailzeis and counsaill ane
chaleis of siluer, ane yraage of siluer of our lady, baicht ouir guilt ; thre
naipkingis, ane broodin and tua quhyt ; ane altare towell, togidder with the
key of the ofFerand stok, to be kepit to the vtilite and proffite of the said
chappell.
I2th Januury, 1530.
The said day, the provest and consaill ordinit thair thesaureris and
deinis of gild, to cause, big, and niak an goif againe on the towne sid, as
it was afor ; and als ordinit Maister Andro Tulidef to ansuer Sande
Tailzeour in all necessar thingis concerning thair knok and tolbuith ; and
ordinit the samyn to be alowit to tham be the auditouris of compt in thair
nixt compts.
Penult February, 1530.
James Cheyne, procuratour to the lard of Abirgeldie, requirit Dauid
Andersoun and Maister Androwe Tulydef, bailzeis, sittand in iugement,
to raak ane esy gait and passage betuix the brig of Dee and chapell of the
samyn, quhairthrow thai may eselye, without impediment, wyrk and law-
hour thair watteris, protestand alwayis quhat damnage or skaith thai sus-
tenit thairthrow suld cum on the toune and nocht on thame, and that in
name and behalf of his master, the lard of Abirgildy, quhilk send with him
seruand to that same effect.
Vdth March, 1530.
The said day, the haile toune, all in ane voce, chesit and ordanit Gilbert
Menzeis, prouest, and Androw Cullan, thair commissaris to pass to oure
souerane lordis parliament, to be begunin at Edinburgh the xxiijj day of
Aprile nixtocum, and ordanit ane sufficient commissioun to be maid to
thame vndir thair commoune seile. And attour ordanit and procuratory
to be maid, vndir the samyn seile, to Robert Leslye, burgess of Edinburgh,
and vthir tua or thre sicklik, salbe thocht expedient in the consall, con-
iunctlie and seueralie, with powar to substitut, to persewe the summondis
rasit on the lard of Abirgeldy and his complicis, for the hewing of the
bulwark of the brig of Dee, with cautioun to keipe stane and stahill, and
130 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th March, this to be extendit in the largest forme ; and ordanit the keparis of the
1530. gj^jjj ggjig ^Q ggjjg ^jjg forsaid comissionis.
I6th March, 1530.
The said day, James Cheine exponit to the prouest and bailzeis that he
was insert in our souerane lordis lettres of summondis as assistar and pairt
takkar with the lard of Abirgelde, in the cutting of the bulwark of the brig
of Dee, maid for sawite of the cheppale of the samyn, offerand him reddy
in iugement to vndirlye ane assise of his nichtbouris, burgessis of this said
burgh, and to mak ane richt large mendis be the sycht of the counsall, gif
he had failit in ony poynt tharof. On the qubilk he tuke instrument at
Maister Dauid Nicholsoun, scribe of our court.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, counsall, and commonite, present for
the tyme, ordanit ane procuratory to be maid to Robert Leslye, with powar
to substitut and persew the lard of Abergelde and his complicis, for the
doune casting of thair bulwark, to be extendit in the largest forme, and
selit with thair secreit seile.
27th July, 1530.
The said day, the towne haile beand warnit be the ofl&ciaris of the samyn
to compeir within thair tolbuyth, for gude reule to be made to euade this
contagious pestilence rengand in the centre, and they, conuenit for the
for the maist part, statut and ordanit all in ane voce, as efter followis : in
the first, that ther be alanerlie thre portis kepit opyn in this gude tovne,
that is to say, the northest port of the Castelhill, the port of the Ower-
kirkgait, and the port of the Netherkirkgait, and that thair be put to euery
port twa honest, treu, hable men to watche the samyn on day licht, ilkane
abilzeit with jak and knapscall dense, aix or halbart, the quhilk sell stope
euery strangear quhill they haue leif of the provest and baillies ; and in-
lykwyse that thair salbe sex vther hable honest men to walk this gude
towne euerye nicht in all the partis of the samyn, that na strangearis nor
gangerallis cum within the samyn, and to quietlye auert quhair they heir
noyis of strangearis or seiknes, and to auert the prouest and bailzes thairof ;
and that euerye nychtbour within this tovne duelland byg his awin bak
dyk and cloise himself, and gif he faylzeis thairin, the baillies to cause it
to be done on his large expensis, and all other waistis and opynnis to be
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 131
closit on the townis expensis, and ordanis the master of wark to do the 27th July,
samyn in continent, and the expensis to be allowit in his comptis. ^^^•
29^A July, 1530.
The said day, the counsall and communite of this gud tovn, present for
the tyme, coramandit and chargit the provest and baillies to graithe, clenge,
and mak reddy all the artailzery of this gude tovn, and lay the samyn to
the portis and vther places necessar, and that pulder, and al thingis ac-
cording thiarto, be furnist and made reddy incontinent for the defence of
this gude town ; and gif it suld hapyn the Lord Forbes or his friendis to
cum to the said tovn, with conuocatioun of the kingis leigis in ony greit
nummyr vthyr thane thair dailye tryne, that the common bell be rung ther
incontinent, and all the nychtbouris conveine, and stope thame to haue
entress within this said burgh, except they leif their multitude, and cum
with thair daily tryne forsaid ; and quhat nychtbour that beis fundin absent
efter it cum to thar knowlege the ringing of the comment bell, all excuse
. by put, except cruell and notabill infirmite, to be pvnist conforme to the
statute maid thairupon abefor.
The town has ordinit this commissioun to be maid to Thomas Menzes,
selit with the commone seile, of the quhilk the tenour foUowis heirefter :
Be it kend till all men be thir present letteris, wss, prouest, bailies,
counsell, and commonitie of Abirdene, to haue maid, constitut, and or-
danit, and, be the tenour of thir present letteris, makis, constitutis, and or-
danis, ane richt honorabill man, and our weile belovit nychtbour, Thomas
Menzes of Petfoddelis, our werray lauchtful and vndoutit commissar, actor,
and procurator, with power to substitute ane or raaa hawand siclike power
as himself, gewand, grantand, and committand to our said commissar and
his substitute our full, fre and plane power for wss, and in our name to pass
to the preseus of our souerane lord the kingis grace, to his lordis of coun-
sell, and to all vtheris to quhom they sail think expedient, quhatsumeuer
day and place, and thair to complene and regrait the cruell oppressioun,
thocht felloun and slauchter, committit on diuerse and sindry nichtbouris
of this gude toun, be Alexr. Forbes of Burghis and his complicis, the
penult day of Julij, the yeir of God ane thousand five hundreth and xxx
yeiris, and to persew justice of the samyn in the charpest forme ; to delait
and agrege the said mater in the charpast raaner : to produce abefor our
132 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
29th July, soueran lord forsaid and lordis of consall the act of jornall quhair Johne
1530. Lord Forbess was actit for his kin and friends, gif ony of thame suld happyn
to commit ony offence aganis this gude tovn, or ony nichtbours of the
samyn, that he suld deliuer the committar thairof to the pro vest and baillies,
vnder the pane of twa thousand pundis, and to persew justice thairof in
the charpest maner, and generalie and sindry vthir thingis to do, exerce,
and wse that we mycht do and we wer present in propir persoun, haldand,
and for to hald, ferme, and stable all and quhatsuraever thing our said
commissar or his substitute, ane or maa, coniunctlie and seueralie, in the
premisses ledis to be done. In witness of the quhilk to this our com-
niissioun, subscriuit with the handis of our provest, counsell, and ane greit
part of our communite, we haue appensit our commone sele, at Aberdene,
the last day of Julij, the yeir of God ane thousand fiwe hundreth and xxx
yeris.
llth August, 1530.
The said day, Audrow CuUan, vmquhill provest of Aberdene, dissasentit
that thar suld be ony of the tovnis takkis formalit for the defens of the sum-
raondis now cumin on the toune, be the Lord Forbes, the laird of Brukkis,
and thair friendis, offerand him reddy to pay his part of ony resonable con-
tributioun to the defense of the samyn, protestand what was done atour
suld turne him to na pregiteise.
\1th August, 1530.
Be it kend till all men, be thir present letteris, wss, prouest, bailies, coun-
sal, and commonitie of the burgh of Aberdene, specialie and generalie warnit
be the officiaris and the hand bell of the said burgh, and gaderit within the
tolbuitht of the samyn, the commone weil of the said burgh be wss hard,
seen, considerit, and vnderstand, in the defense of this gude tovne and
nychtbouris of the samyn, cruelly inuactit at thair awin housis be Alex.
Forbess of Brukkis, and the raaist part of suyrname of Forbess, inuading
the nichtbouris within the said burgh for thair cruell slauchter at thair awin
housis, and atour .... wrang sinister informatioun hes impetrat
letteris to call the provest, baillies, and ane greit part of nychtbouris of the
said samyn burgh to vnderly our souerane lordis lawis in Linlithgow, the
xvij day of August instant, for slauchter and mutilatioun maid on thame,
as thai allege, for thir causes and diuerse vtheris conserning the commone
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 133
weile, your vniuersiteis sail, wit wss provest, baillies, counsall, and commo- I2th August.
nite forsaid, representand the haill tovne for the tyme, to haue maid, consti- ^■^^•
tut, and ordanit richt honorabill men, and our trew nichtbouris, Thomas
Menzes of Petfoddalis, Maister Androw Tulydef of Ranystoun, Alex.
Ruthirfurd, and Henry Irwin, thre of our baillies for this instant yeir, and
Duncane of Mar, burgess of the samyn, our uerray lauchtful and vndoutit
commissaris, geuand, grantand, and comraittand to thame, and to the maist
part of thame, our full, fre, and plaine power to set and formaile our takkis,
baith of watteris and landis, and in speciale ane half net of the myd chingill
of Done, now in the handis of Jhone Blak, to quhatsumeuer burgess and
actuel induellar oure said burgh, one or raaa, for the termes of xix yeris, or
within, at the vigill of Sanct Androw immediat folloving the dait heirof,
and that for the vptaking and inbringing of the sovme of twa hundreth
pundis vsuale money of this realme, deuisit and ordanit to the furnising of
the commissaris to pass to Linlithgow to defend and persew the truble and
oppressionis forsaid haldand, and for to bald ferme and stabile all and quhat-
sumeuer thingis our saidis commissaris, or the maist pairt of thame, in thir
premisses bedis lauchtfullie to be done. In witnes of the quhilk to this oure
commissioun we haue ordanit oure commone sele to be appensit, day and
place abefor exprimit, befor thir witnesis, Maister James Menzes, persoun
of Dunnat, Maister Robert Menzeis, and Maister Dauid Nicholsoun, no-
taris publik ; providing all wayis that our said commissaris provyd and find
the esyast way the said sovme of money may be had with leist skaith and
damnage to the said burgh, on the quhilk thay haue maid faitht in iugement
in oure presens. The commissaris aboue writtin has set to Robert Blak,
and to Johne Blak his fader, the halfnit of Done, quhilk the said Johne hes
in assedatioun for the sovme of six scoir pundis, and to Johne Babner ane
halfnet on the mydschingkill, for the sovme of four scoir pvndis ; the entress
of Robert and John Blak at the wigill of Sanct Androw, and sownar gif it
sail happyn any halfnet on mydschingkill to wayk, and that for the termes
of xix yeris immediat following the dait of thair entress.
29#/i August, 1530.
The said day, Johne Senzour, accusit for the breking of commond ordi-
nance and disobeying of the officiaris, as he that was warnit to the watche
and keping of the tovne the xxviij day of this moneth instant, ansuerit, the
actioun was greit, and desyrit ane lauchtfuU day to ansuer to the samyn,
s
134 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
:29th August, protestand quhat the bailzeis did procedand forthir in that mater suld turne
^^^- him to na preuigiteis.
The baillies chargit Thomas Blair, officiar, to requyr and charge Johne
Senzour, be his wand of oflSce of our souerane lord the kingis name, provest,
and bailzeis of this guid towne, to answeir for the breking of commond or-
dinance, because thay fand it suld haue nay day, and the pvnitioun of the
samyn belangit to the commond weile of this guid tovne, in preseruing of
the samyn fra plage of pestilence and fra the townis enymeis, quhilkis ar
the kingis rebellis at the present tyme ; and the said Johne being requerit
anis, twise, thrise be the said officiar to deny or grant the said crime, and
twichit be the said officiaris wand of office anis, twise, thrise, and peremp-
torily he wald noyther grant nor deny, the bailzeis chargit the said officiar
to brek his wand in iugement on the said Johne, in taiknyng of his inobej-
dience and hye conteraptioun of our souerane lordis auctoritie, quhilk he
did in presens of the haile court.
And inlikwise Alex. Rutherfurd, bailzie, complenzeit in iugment that he
was disobeyit, strublit, and mispersonit in the executioun of his office in
iugement, of the quhilk the said Johne was accusit, quhilk ansuerit he wald
noythir deny nor grant the said strublance, because he allegit that baith the
bailzeis forsaid, and the haile court present for the tyme, had put wiolent
handis on him, and strublit him hewalye, quharfor thay mycht nocht be nay
competand iugis ; and Alex. Menzeis, bailze, allegand that hot wordis of
na verite, requerit Walter Sawany, officiar, to charge the said Johne be his
wand of office aniss, tuise, thrise, and pereraptourlye in our souerane lord
the kingis name, provest, and bailzies of this guid tovne, to ansuer for the
recent strublance, myspersonyng, and dissobeyng of the said Alex. Ruther-
furd, bailzie, in the executioun of his office and in iugement, quhilk he re-
fusit, and said he wald byd at his protestatioun ; quharfor the said bailzie
commandit and chargit the said officiar to brek his wand of office in iuge-
ment on the said Johne, in taiknyng of inobediense and hye conteraptioun.
And atour Alex. Ruthirfurd requirit the said Johne, in iugement, gif he was
plentouse on him that he had oflFendit him in word or deid, by the ordour of
justyce, oflPerand him thair reddy to vnderly the law, and the said Johne
ansuerit he wald nocht complene at that tyme, hot protestit for remeid of
law quhen tyme and place requirit ; quharfor the bailzeis ordanit the said
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 135
Johne to be put in the stokkis, and kepit fast in the kingis waird vnto the 29th August.
tyme thai war awysit quhat punitioun said be put to the said crymes. ^^^•
6th September, 1530.
Robertus bartonus de Ouirbartoune justiciarius et thesaurarius supremi
domini nostri regis vniuersis et singulis ad quorum noticias presentes
literae peruenerint salutem noueritis quod comparentes coram nobis in
curia justiciarie supremi domini nostri regis tenta et inchoata apud burgum
de Linlithgow die Mercurii decimo septimo die mensis Augusti anno
Domini m" quingentesimo trigesimo Gilbertus Menzes prepositus de
Abirdene Thomas Menzes Alexander Menzes Andreas Menzes Dauid
Menzes filii dicti Gilberti Menzes Georgeus Leslie Johannes Cunning-
ahame Alexr. Birse Alexr. Nicholsoun Johannes Wod Dauid Harot
junior Alexander Menzes frater dicti Gilberti Menzes Wilhelmus Walcar
Johannes Andersoun Jacobus Andersoun filius Dauidis Andersoun Alexr.
Andersoun frater dicti Dauidis Andersoun Georgius Bissat Robertus
Edindiaucht Johannes Vobstor alias Jamesoun Johannes Crystesoun
Thomas Huntar Dauid Andersoun Willelmus Kemp et Alexr. Bisset
indictati et per rotulos regios calumpnati de arte et parte conuocationis
ligeorum supremi domini nostri regis ad numerum quingentarum per-
sonarum ex precogitata felonia venientes super Alexandrum Forbes filium
et heredem apparentem domini de Brux die sabbato penultimo die mensis
lulii vltimo elapsi in villam de Abirdeine vbi dictus Alexander Forbes
solus cum quinque personis existabat et cum fugando ad locum fratrum
et ibidem ipsum per spatium xxiiij horarum obsidiendo Item de arte et
parte crudelis interfectionis quondam Willelmi Muyr seruitoris dicti Alex-
andri Item de arte et parte demembrationis Willelmi Forbes sui brachii
Item de arte et parte demembrationis et mutilationis dicti Alexandri
Forbes sui digiti Item de arte et parte demembrationis et mutilationis
Willelmi Forbess suorum duorum digitorum tempore supradicto ex pre-
cognitata felonia coramissarum Item de arte et parte rapine equorum
dicti Alexandri Forbes eodem tempore Quasquidem calumpnas prefate
persone in facie iudicii omnino denegarunt et per condignam assisani
quieti facti fuerunt penitus et imunes Et hoc omnibus quorum interest
notesceamus per presentes In rfuius rei testimonium sigillum officii jus-
ticiarie supremi domini nostri regis presentibus est appensum anno mense
die et loco supradictus
136 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
6th Sept, The said day, Faukland Harrot commandit and chargit, in our souerane
1630. j(jp(j jjjg kingis name and auctorite, and be the vertew of his gracis letteris
directit to him thairupoun, all and sindry nichtbouris and fremen induelling
this gude tovne, to obserue and keepe all and sindry statutis and ordi-
nances maid be the prouest and counsall, and with consent of the said
nichtbouris, for the wetching and keping of this gude tovne baitht be nicht
and day, fray this contagious pestilence, and fra all vther inconvenientis
for the resetting and lugeing of strangearis, but lycence of prouest or
bailzets ; and that euery nychtbour, baitht merchand and craftisman, haue
within thair buthis thair vapynnis, reddy for the defens of thair personis
and of this gude tovne, vnder the panis contenit in the saidis statutis, certifie-
ing them that it is the kingis grace will that thai be put to cherpe executioun.
The said day, the haile tovne present for the tyme, all in ane voce dis-
assentit that thar be ony pensioun in tyme cummand gevin to the Lord
Forbess, or till ony vtheris for the keping of thair vatteris, becauss thai
ar informit that thai that suld be keparis of the samyn, are principale de-
stroyars and feschars of thame in vndew tyme ; protestand solemptlie, that
gif ony sic pensioun be takin in tyme cuming, that it be haldin as reif and
blak mail, and for remeide of law, quhen tyme and place may be fundin
oportune.
9th September, 1530.
The said day, ane worschipfull clerk. Sir Andro Scherar, vicar of Nig,
exponit the prowest and bailleis in iugement, how that he had the kirk of
Birss in tak of the chancelleir of Abirdene, and that Johne Rutherfurd
had intromettit with the fruits of the samyn, and that for payment of the
saidis frutis he had assignit to him the gudis send in Flanderis be the said
Johne, extending to the sovme of fourty pundis greit Flanderis money, and
in likwiss he had assignit and deliuerit to him the gudis, now being in the
greit busche of Abirdene, for the sovme of thre scoir of crovnis of the
same, to be payit Johne Meldrum in Deipe, on the behalf of the said vicar ;
protestand solempnitly, that gif ony man trublis the saidis gudis, quhair-
throucht he gettis nocht thankfuU payment of the summes forsaid, that he
ma haue xvi s. for euerie frank, and x crovnis for euery pvndis greit, on
thame that makis stopt or impediment to the saidis gudis, other in France
or Flanderis.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 137
I4tk November, 1530. I4th Nov.,
The said day, Johne Andersoun was convickit in ane lacht of vj scillingis ^^*^-
iiij d. to be doublit, because he was found in the vedding kirk dur with his
bonat on his heid, quhilk was hailowit place and kirk, eftir the decernyng of
the balzeis and the haile courte.
28th November, 1530.
The said day, Dauid Anderson, bailze, requirit the counsall and maist
pairt of the communite of Abirdene, being conuenit within the tolbuitht
of the samyn, gif thai war content that thar suld be ane wryting maid and
send to thair provest, Gilbert Menzeis, exhortand him to proceid and solist
the band deuisit be the kingis grace for thair securite betuix tharae and
my Lord Forbes, to be had on the tovnis expenss. To the quhilk thai
assentit, and ordanit it to be subscrivit in Maister Dauid Nicholsouns hand,
clerk of thair court, and thair commone seile to [be] affixit to the samyn ;
on the quhilk Dauid Andersoun, bailze forsaide, tuik note and instrument
in the hands of the said Maister Dauid, present for the tyme.
I9th December, 1530.
James, be grace of God king of Scottis, to our schiref of Abirdenie, and
his deputis, and to our louittis falkland pursewant [ ]
messingeris, our schirreffis in that part, coniunctlye and seueralye, specialye
constitut, greting : Forsamekill as it is humelie menit and complenit be
our louittis, the provest, bailzeis, counsall, and communitie of our burgh of
Abirdeine, vpone the personis vnder wrytin, quhilkis, with thair complices,
daylie inuadis, boistis, and persewis thame, thair freindis, and seruandis,
for thair bodely harme and slauchter, to thair greit apperand skaitht, in
contemptioun of our auctorite and lawis, and aganis justice ; gif sa be, our
will is heirfor, and we charge yow straitlie and comraandis, that incontinent
thir our letteris seine, ye pass and tak sicker souertie and lauborrowis
of the saidis personis and thair complicis, samony as the saidis provest,
bailzeis, counsall, and commonite, thair freindis and seruandis, will mak
faitht to yow that thai dreid bodely harme, and gevis thair names to yow
in bill, that thai salbe harmeless and skaithless of tharae, and all that thai
may lett in tyme cuming, but fraude or gyle, hot as law will ; that is to say,
of Johne Forbess of Petslegow, for him, his sonnis, and all that he or thai
138 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
19th Dec, may lett, vnder the pane of ij™ pvndis ; of Win. Forbes of Toquhone, for
1***- him, his sone, freindis, and all that he or thai may lett, ij™ lib. ; of William
Forbes of Corssinday, for him, his sonnis, and all that he or thai ma lett,
j" lib. ; of Alexander Forbess of Brux, ij™ markis ; of Alexr. Forbes of
Towes, j" markis ; of Maister John Forbes, portioner of Barness, j"
markis ; of William Forbes, his bruthir, v* markis ; of Duncane Forbes,
V* markis ; of the remnant of ilkane of his brethir, ij* markis ; of the lard
of Echt, V* lib., for him self and all that he may lett ; of Henry Forbes of
Kinellar, v« markis, for him self, his sone, and all that thai may latt; of James
Forbes of Auchintoile, v* markis ; of Ewill Wille Forbess, his bruthyr,
ij* markis ; of Johne Forbess of Tuligony, v" markis ; of Malcome Forbess,
for him self, his sonnis, and all that he may latt, v* markis ; of Duncane
Forbess of Quyltis, iiij' markis ; of Maister William Forbes in Abirdeine,
iij* markis ; of Patrik Forbes thair, iij' markis ; of George Forbes, his
brothir, 1]*= markis ; of James Forbes, at the brig of Balgony, ij*' markis J
of Androw Forbes, his brothir, j** markis ; of Johne Strathachin, sone and
apperand air to Thomas Straquhen of Lenturk, v*' lib. ; of ilkane of his
fioder brethir, iij*^ markis ; of James Caldell, portioner of Achintovle,
V* markis ; of Thomas Dauidsoun of Auchinhamperis, v" lib. ; of the
laird of Portarstoun, iij' markis ; of Alexr. Forbes, in Abirdeine, j*= lib. ; of
Duncane Forbes, iij' markis ; of Donald Makky, Johne Caldaile, Niniane
Forbes, Johne Forbes, his brothir, ilkane of thame ij* markis ; of Dauid
Dauidsoun, iij* markis ; of Alexr. Forbes, in Strathdee, iij*' markis ; of
ilkane of his sonnis, ij" markis ; of Wm. Forbes, ij*' markis ; and of thair
complices, ilk gentilman landit ij' lib., ilk gentilman vnlandit ij' markis,
and ilk yemen j'= markis. And at ye charge the saidis personis and thair
' complices personalye, gif thai can be apprehendit, and failyeing thairof
be opin proclaraatioun at the mercat croce of our said burght of our schire
quhair thai duell, to cum and find the said souerte and lawborrowis to yow,
in maner forsaid, within sax dais nixt efter thai be chargit be yow thairto,
vnder the pane of rebellioun and putting of thame to our home ; the quhilkis
sex dais being bipast, and the said souerte and lawborrowis nocht fundin,
that ye incontinent thaireftyr denunce thame our rebellis, and put thame
to our home, and eschaiet and inbring all thair movabill gudis to our wse,
for thair contemptioun, as ye will ansuer to wss thairwpoun ; the quhilk
to do we committ to yow, coniuntlie and seueralye, our full powar, be thir
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 139
our letteris, deliuering tharae, be you dewlie execut and indorsat, agane to I9th Dec.
the berar. Gevin vnder our signet, at Pertht, the xiij day of December, ^^^•
and of our regne the xviij yeir.
Ex deliberatione dominorum consilii.
Memorandum, the xxii day of this instant raonetht, the principale of thir
letteris aboue wrytin war put in the commone kist of the tolbutht of Abir-
deine, at command of the consall of the samyn.
At Perth, the xij day of December, the yeir of God j™ v<= xxx yeiris, in
presens of the lordis of counsall vndirwrytin : that is to say, ane maist re-
uerend and reuerend faderis in God, Gawane Archbischope of Glasgow,
chancellar, George Bischop of Dunkeld, Gavin Bischope of Abirdine,
Alex. Bischope of Murray, Androw Bischope of Caithness ; venerabill
faderis in God, Robert Abbot of Kinloss, Johne Prior of Pettniveime ;
nobill lordis, Johne Lord Erskin, Patrik Lord Grayf Henry Lord Meth-
wen ; Maister Richard Bothuill, Channovn of Glasgow ; comperit Johne
Lord Forbes, and gaif in his band, subscrivit with his hand, and desyrit the
samyn to be put in the bukis of counsall, and to haue the strenth of ane
decreit of the saidis lordis ; the quhilk desyr the lordis thocht resonabill,
and thairfor ordanis the samyn to be registrat in the saidis bukis, and to
haue effect of thair act and decreit in tyme to cum, and letteris to be direct
to command, and charge, compel, and distrenze the said lord for the fulfil-
ling of the samyn in forme as efferis ; of the quhilk the tenour followis : I
Johne Lord Forbes, be the tenour heirof, becummiss souerte and lawborgh
for myself, Johne Maister of Forbes, my sone, and the remanent of ray
sonnis, that Gilbert Menzeis, provest of Abirdeine, Alexander Eraser of
Philorth, Thomas Menzeis, Androw Menzeis, and all vther the said Gil-
bertis sonnis, Wm. Lyonn, and the bailzeis, counsall, and coramunite of the
burgh of Abirdeine, salbe harmeless and skaithless of me, and my saidis
sonnis, and our seruandis, and all that we ma latt in tyme cuming, hot
fraude or gyle, hot as law will, vnder the pane of fuve thousand pundis, to
be pait be me to the kingis grace and his successouris, in caise I, my saidis
sonnis, or our seruandis, or ony that we ma latt, happin to brek the said
lawborrowiss in tyme to cum ; and to the obseruing and fulfilling heirof
lelelye and trewlye in maner forsaid, I bynd and obleisse me faithfullye, my
airis, executouris, and assignais, to our souerane lord and his successoris, in
140 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
19th Dec., the maist strait forme and sickar style of obligatioun that can be deuisit,
1530. ^jy^ fraude or gyle ; and for mair securite, I am contint that this my obliga-
tioun be registrat and insert in the bukis of counsall, and to haue the strentht
of ane dicreit of the lordis of counsall. In vitniss of the quhilk thing I
haue subscriuit this my obligatioun with my hand, in presens of the saidis
lordis, at the burgh of Pertht, the xij day of December, in the yeir of God
j" V XXX yeris ; and gif the remanent of the saidis lordis freindis findis
sufficient sourte and lawborrowiss conforme to the deliuerance of the lordis
of counsall now gevin in that behalf, the lordis dischargis the souerteis tane
of thame obbefoir, and ordanis the last souerte to haif effect as said is. Ex-
tractum de libro actorum per me Gavinum episcopum Abirdonensem cleri-
cum rotulorum registre ac consilii supremi domini nostri regis sub meis
signo et subscriptione manualibus.
Memorandum, the xxij day of December, this letteris of band war put
in the commone kist of the tolbutht of Abirdene, at the command of the
con sail of the samyn.
I6th April, 1531.
The said day, Sandris Gray opponit iugement to the prouist and bailzeis
how he and Sandris Knolls was chosen be thame lords of Bonacord, to do
plesour and blythnes to the toune in this sessoun of symmir incumming,
offerand alwais reddy to the samyn effect, for his part, to do all plesour to
the toune efter his guidlye powar, thai findand ane marrow sufficient furth
filland his part in the samyn effect ; protestand alwais, gif thai did nocht,
that he waJd nocht except the said office on him, nor na part tharof, for this
instant year, on the quhilk he tuke note and instrument.
The prouest exponit to the communite, present for the tyme, how he
had the kings grace letteres under his signet, impetrat be thair awiss,
chargand the neichbours of this burgh, that nane of thame suld refuss what-
someuer office of honor thai happin to be chosin to the said communite.
under the panis of tinsall of all and sindry thair takkis, and roums they had
on the samyn ; and inlikwiss how the prouest and counsall had chosen
Alexr. Gray and Alexander KnoUis to be lords of Bonacord for this instant
year, quhilks has been an office of honor this tymes bygane, and inquirit
at the communite gif they thocht expedient that gin ony of the saids
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 141
parteis refusit the said office, that our soureigns lords lettres suld be execut i6th April,
on thame in the charpest maner, quhilk the said counsall and commonitie ^^^"
thocht expedient to be done.
The said day, Sandris KnoUis exponit to the baillies and comonite, pre-
sent for the tyme, how that he was chosin by the prouest, counsall, and
pairt of the commonitie, as thai allegit, to be ane of the lords of Bonacord
for this instant zear, to the quhilk office he was not able, as he allegit, for
diuerse caussis ; ane, because he was not present at the said election ; ane
other, because thair were mony others mair abil for sic office in the toune,
and had greater proffite therof ; thridly, because he had the kings lettres
dischargand him of all sic thingis ; nocht the less, he was yet redy to except
the said office, gif the toun wald gif him the auld fee quhilk thai had wont
to pay for the samyn, and other wiss nocht, protestand quhat beis done be
the toune heirintill turn him to na progiteis.
17 th Mai/, 1531.
Decimo septimo die mensis Maij anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo
tricesirao primo.
Be it kend till all men, be thir present lettres, wss, provest, bailzeis,
counsaile, and commonite of Abirdene, to haue gevin, grantit, and assignit,
and be the tennour of thir present lettres gevis, grauntis, and assign is to
oure louit familiar seruitour, Alexander Monypeny, masoun, fiwe merkis
vsual money of Scotland of yeirlye pensioun for all the dais of the said
Alexanderis lyf, to be pait to him at tua vsuale termes in the yeir, Wit-
sonday and Mertyraes, in vinter, be ewinlie portionis, togidder with all and
sindry commone warkis of this toune pertening to the said Alexanderis
craft, he completand and doing the samyn alsweile and alsgude schaipe as
ony vthir craftis men in the toune. And inlikuise, gif it sail happin ws
to gif ony fee for the lufting and raising of the paithment of our kirk, we
sail offir the samyn to the said Alexander afore ony vther. For the
quhilkis the said Alexander sail daylye intend and aduert to oure brig of
Dee bulwarkis and chappell of the samyn, and sail reforme all small faltis
that sail happin in the said varkis ; and gif thai be faltis that may be endit
with less nor tva dais labour, he sail labour and mend the samyn on his
awin expensis, how oft that thai sal happin in the saidis warkis ; and gif
T
142 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
17th May, thair hapynnis ony gretar faltis in the said warkis, quhilkis may nocht be
^^^- endit with less than tua haile dais labour or aboue, than the said Alexander
sail aduert oure raaisteris of brigvark and ws of the saidis faltis, and sail
mend the samyn on oure expensis. And atour we sail labour at all hawand
entres to get an house and yard to the said Alexander to remane daylye
and duell alse ewise to the said brig wark as may be gudlye found, the said
Alexander payand yeirlie the maile thairof ; and the said Alexander sail
nocht depart nor pass away fra the said wark at anay tyme, without
speciale lycence [askit] and vptenit of ws or oure maisteris of brig wark for
the tyme, quhatsumeuir. And gif it sal happin him to faile in daylie at-
tendance, auertence, correking, or mending of the said wark quhen neid
sail happin, then this oure band to be of na strenth, force, nor eflfect, the
said Alexander being thrise convickit for the said inaduertence and non
reparing of the saidis faltis. And to the obseruing and keping of all thir
premisses the said Alexander is oblegit be the faith in his body, and we
siclick to him. And for the mair securite, we haue causit our secreit [seil]
to be affixit to thir presentis, at Abirdene, the xvij day of Aprile, the yeir
of God j™ V* and xxxi yeris.
4th August, 1531.
The said day, it was deuisit be the prouest and counsaile present for the
tyme, that thair maisteris of warke suld gar amend the prame of the brig,
and gif hir in keping to sum traist hand, and lat hir and the prouestis greit
keile to fraucht to the losing and laidnyng of schippis, and to the hame
bringing of elding, and the profRte to be equalie deuidit betuix thame, hir
part cummand to the tovnis vtilitie.
ISth October, 1531.
Anent the reuill of the kirk to be had in tyme to cum, it is statut and
ordinit, and for act perpetuall ratifeit and approuit, as efter followis :
Item, in the fyrst, anent the curat, quhar he trow neglegence in tyme of
mariage causis nocht the personis being mareit to gif part of deuocioun to
thair patroun Sanct Nicholass, as vse vas euer bigane, quhilk cumis nocht
in yeir last by past hot iij s., quhar it had wont be mair than xx or xxx s.
And it was that the sobirest person that beis mareit pay iiij d. ; craftismen
that beis baddin, viij d., or ony wthir persoun that hes to pay ; all wther
OF THE BTJEGH OF ABERDEEN. 143
men of guid at thair awin discretioun ; and quhat personis that beis mareit I3th October,
be the curat, or his deputis, that he sail ansuer to the maister of wark ^^^
thairfor, because the auld livable consuetud suld be ouphalding.
Secundlie, anent the segstar, that he nor his deputis oppin nor raise
nocht na pathtment for na liaris within the kirk, of thame that suld com-
pone for thair layer, without licence of the maisteris of vark, vnder the
pane of paying of the layre him self, and that the pathtment that tha raise
be laid as weill agane as tha fund it.
Alsuay that the segstar raise na paithment to na lyaris, of thame that hes
festhment in the kirk, without licence of the maisteris of vark, vnder this pane»
that is to say, to raise the paithment and lay it agane als weill tha fund it.
Alsuay, anent keiping of the kirk zard fra horse, ky, kuaffis, scheip, and
swyne, and all wther beistis, the kirk dikis and stilis being sufficient that
the beistis cane nocht haue entress, hot input be folkis other nycht or day.
That the segstar or his deputis sail tak thame incontinent efter thai cum in
the kirk zard, and put thame in a sicker houiss. And to tak of ilk horse or
kow, or siclik beist, iiij d. for the first fait, and ilk sow or grice, iiij d. ; all
kynd of scheip, cawis, or wther siclik bestis, for the first fait, ij d. And
the secund tyme that thai be fundin thar to pay ilk best dobble, and the
thrid time siclik. And the segstar and his seruand to ansuer for the keip-
ing of the kirk zard to the maisteris of kirk vark, and for his labour he sail
ressaue the panis forsaid to his awin proffieit.
13^^ January i 1532.
Item, the hale tovnn being conuenit as said is, all in ane voce, dischargit
all thair singaris in thair queir, that hes feis of thame and thair commond
guid, fray the purificacioun of our lady, callit Candilmess, nixt cumis, and of
all proffetis tha haue of thame, for thair demeritis bigane done to God and
thara, during the tovnis will, except Sir Andro Coupar, that is an agit
man, and hes bene ane aid seruand to the tovnn, on the quhilkis the provest
tuik instrument.
The said day, the haile towne being conuenit and gaderit within the tol-
144 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th January, butht, in thair held court, considering the truble and ueris that is able now
1*^- to cum be our auld ennemeis of Ingland, for the defence of the guyd tovne
and commond veill of the same, all in ane voce, na raaner of persoun oppin-
and nor saying in the contrar, chesit thir personis vnderwritin : that is to
say, Jhonne Leslie of Vardris, Andro CuUan, Thomas Menzeis, Johnne
Collisoun elder, Maister Androw Tulidef, Dauid Andersoun, Patre Leslie,
Willeam Broun, Alex. KnoUis, and Alex. Gray, with Gilbert Menzeis,
provest, and Henry Irvein, Alex. Rutherfurd, Androw Menzeis, and Alex.
Menzeis, bailzeis for the tyme, to provyd all necessar defences for the veill
and defence of the tovnn, and to big ane bustailze, as thai think maist expe-
dient ; and to serse and vesy the townis artailzery, and se quhar tha ar
quha intrometit with tham, or ony part therof, and quhais handis thai ar in,
and to collect tham togidder, and to cause, clenge, and graith thame, and
mak tham redy quhen euer the tovnn hes ado ; and to se quhar the tovnis
povder is, quhayis handis it is in, and gif thair be nocht aneocht to furneise
the tovnn, to provid and by mair on the tovnis expensis, for the commond
veill of the same.
\7th January^ 1532.
The said day, the counsale, in name of the haile toun, ordanit and com-
mandit Maister Androw Tulidef, Dauid Andersoun, and Sandris KnoUis,
to pas and se quhar thair artailzerie is, quhais handis it is in, and consider
quhat vantis baith of thair artailzery and pulder, and cans reforme, mend,
graith, and mak redy, ony thingis that is neidfuU for the veill of the same,
on the tovnis expensis, for defence and keiping of the same.
2\st January i 1532.
The said day, the haile tovnn being conuenit and gaderit in thair tol-
buitht, chesit Maister Thomas Menzeis, Maister Andro Tulidef, Dauid
Andersoun elder, Sandris Gray, and Sandris Kintor, thair taxtaris, to
stent, sett, and tax the sovme of iiij" iiij lib. Scottis mone, monethtlie, to
be rasit of this gude tovne, for the furnesing of certane waegeris to conuoy
our souerane lordis artailzery, with his luftenant, aganis our auld ennimies
of Ingland, efter the tennour of our souerane lordis letteris direct hier-
upoun, and at command of the samen, and causit tham some be the grit
ayth thairto.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 145
1th February^ 1532. 7th February ^
The said day, the provest and counsale, present for the tyme, assignit all ^^^'
the dettis awand to thair patrovnn, Sanct Nicholace, to be tane oup incon-
tinent be the maisteris of the kirk wark, and varit vpon artailzery, povder,
fortalissis, blokhouse, and wther instrumentis requirit for weir, for the de-
fence of the guid tovne, and resisting of our auld ennemies of Ingland ; and
will and ordinis that all wther the tovnis commond warkis rest quhill that
be done ; and commandit the said maisteris of kirk wark to be diligent in the
ouptaking of the said dettis, with povar to gif acquittance therof to the ef-
fect forsaid.
19^^ February, 1532.
The said day, Andro Losoun and Villeara Annand war content afor
the counsale to tak and ressaue the sax barrell of sape bocht be the tovnn
fra ane fremmit man, and als bocht the same at the tovnn egane, and oblegit
thame to pay the fremmit man for the said saip as the tovnn conditionit
him incontinent, and atour to gif the tovnn xvj lib. Scottis mone, quhilk
the tovnn assignit to the biging of thair blokhouse, and ordinit thame to pay
the same to the maisteris of wark therof, and commandit thair officiaris to
pas to euery persoun that bed intromettit with ony of the said saip, and
cause thame deliuer the same to the saidis Andro and Villaim, or ellis siclik
parte, as thay man pay for the same, and the saidis Andro and Willeam war
content that ony nychtbour that plesit to haue ony of the said saip that thai
held, the same payand thame therfor incontenent, as thai said pay for the
same.
20^A February, 1532.
The said day, the haill counsale, with ane pairt of the communite, pre-
sent for the tyme, thocht expedient and ordinit, considerint the grit ap-
perand wer and truble apperand to be be our auld ennemeis of Ingland,
and for sauete and defense of the guid tovne, that thair be ane blokhouise
bigit on the sand ness of stane and lyme, contening xxxvi fuit of lynth,
xviij fuit of breid, and vj fuit thik in the wall ; of heicht, as beis thocht
expedient be the maisteris of vark, with gunhollis and duiris of aistlar ;
and ordinit Thomas Menzeis and Alexr. Gray to agre with masonis, with
the auise of the consale, for the biging of the same in all guidlie haist ;
and ordinit Dauid Andersoun, Master Andro Tulidef, Alexr. Rutherfurd,
146 EXTRACTS FROM THE CX)UNCIL REGISTER
20u» February, EDd DuDcane Mar, coadiutouris and masteris of wark to the biging of the
^**^' same.
At Abirdein the xx day of Februarr, the yeir of God ane thousand
v« xxxii yeris, it is appunctit, agreit, and finalie endit, betuex honorabill
men, Thomas Menzeis of Petfoddellis and Alexr. Gray, raaisteris of wark
to the toun of Abirden, on that ane part, and Pate Franche and Sanderis
Monypenny, masonis, on that wther part, in maner, forme, and effect
as efter followis : that is to say, the said Pate and Sanderis sail big ane
blokhouse of lyme and stane on the sandness, of xxxvi fuit of lynth, xviii
fuit of breid, and vi fuit of thikness in the vail, and of heicht as beis thocht
expedient be the said maisteris of wark and masonis, with gun hoUis and
dur of aistlar, as beis thocht expedient be the said maisteris ; and the
houisse to be bigit in the maist souer vise for sauete of the raid and hevin,
as beis thocht expedient be the said maisteris of wark and masonis ; for
the quhilkis the said maisteris of wark sail deliuer and pay the said
masonis for euery raid thre lib. Scottis mone, and payand for the hewin
wark, the said maisteris of wark findand tham all maner of stuf neidful
thairto, except sand and waiter ; and the said masonis to find all maner of
wark men thame self, and to begine this vark in all guidlie haist. In
vitnes heirof, the saidis maisteris of wark hes subscriuit this writ with thair
handis, and the said maisonis hes sett thair markis to the same day, yeir,
and place forsaid. And forthir, tha sail woit the said houise quhen euer
the said raaisteris of wark requiris tham tharto.
I8th Marchy 1532.
The said day, the counsale, present for the tyme, deuisit and ordinit
that the halff of all the malis perteining to the tovnn, except the kingis
malis, be takin oup incontinent, and deliuerit to the tovnis maisteris of
vark, to be deburssit be thame in the biging of thair blokhowise, to the
bying of powdar and govnnis, grathing, stoking, and carting of the same,
in defence of this guid tovnn aganis our auld innemeis of Ingland, and all
wther dettis pertening to the tovnn, sic as lib. gritis, restis of malis, and all
wther maner of dettis perteining and aving to the tovnn, tha ordanit Henry
Irvein, bailze, to pas and tak oup the same incontinent ; and, gif neid beis,
to cause puind for the same, and mak pament therof to the maisteris of
vark, to the effect aboun writin.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 147
1th Aprils 1532. 7th April,
. The said day, the haill counsale, present for the tyme, commandit and ^^^•
ordinit Gilbert Menzeis, thair prouest, considering the grit veir and truble
now apperand, for defence of this guid tovnn, to writ away incontinent to
Leith or Edinburgh, and by the tovnn tua barrell of guid powldar, quhat
euer it cost, laboring all wais the best chaip he mycht get it, and gif his
obligatioun theairone for payment of the same, and quhat euer he pro-
mittit tharfor, tha suld releif him at his dai of paiment ; and ordinit him
send ane boy away therfor with his writingis on thair expensis ; and or-
dinit ane act to be maid heirupoun in our court buik.
30«A September, 1532.
The said day, our souerane lordis letteris direct to the provest and
bailzeis for vappinschawingis, war red opinlie in iugment, in presens of the
haill tovnn, and the provest chargit all personis within this fredom and
tovn to conuein on the Vomanhill the xv day of October instant nixt cumis,
furnest with vappiniss and harnese, conforme to the said letteris, vnder the
panis contenit in the samyn.
2\st October, 1532.
The said day, the counsaile statutis and ordanis that, fra thinfurtht, na
maner of persoun cast faill or devat in the tovnis Linkis and Insche, nor
beir ony sand fra thair Castellhill nor Vomanhill, under the pane of ban-
nesing of tham of the tovnn that beis conuik heirof ; and causit opin pro-
clamatioun to be maid heirupoun at the merkat corce, that na man suld
allege ignorance on the samyn.
\th April, 1533.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale conducit and feit
Villiam Vallace to reule, set, gid, and keip thair knok of the tolbuith, for
the quhilkis tha proraittit him yeirlie, during thar vill, four merkis Scottis
mone ; for pament of the quhilkis, tha assignit the malis of the buithis
wnder the tolbuith, quhilk Maister Andro Tulydef, Patre Leslie, and John
Chalmer hes in tak, quhilkis to iij raarkis, that is to say, ilk buith ane
merk ; and ordinit the maister of vark to pay him yeirlie ane vther
mark, in compleit pament of tha said iiij markis. And the said William
oblegit him to mend the said knok, and mak her sufficient, and als sufficient
148 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
4th April, as ony man in Scotland can mak hir, for the quhilkis the tovnn sail pay
^^^- him XX s. : that is to say, x s. now in hand, and the uther tene quhen the
knok beis sufficientlie mendit, and strikis iust as sche suld do.
24th April, 1533.
The said day, Gilbert Menzeis, provest, Andro Cullan, Thomas Men-
zeis, Johnn Collisoun elder, Dauid Andersoun, M. Andro Tulidef, Henry
Irvein, Andro Menzeis, Duncane Mar, Patre Lesle, commissaris chosin
afor be the haill townn to provid all necessaris thingis for the tovnis de-
fense, hes concludit and ordinit that thir takis vnder writtin pay to the
said effect the sowmes vnderwrittin, and ordinis the said sowmes to be
allocat in thair nixt first grissumes. And gif thair be ony takkismen of
the tovne that dissentis to the paiment of thir settis, that thai salbe dis-
chargit of thair takkis, and neuer haue tak of this guid towne in tyme to
cum, and this to be extendit in the largiest forme, be the tovnis avise.
That is to say, euery half nettis fisching of the raik, . xxx s.
Euery half net of the midsching[le],
Euery half net of the pott
Euery half nett of the furdis,
Euery half of Done,
Euery saxt part of the cruffis,
Euery auchtand part of the cruffis,
, LAND TAKIS.
Rubislaw, .....
Hessilheid, .....
Henry Irvein, for the tane half of Schedeslie,
Gardin, .....
Bogferlay, .....
Frosterhill, .....
Tullowcht, .....
Cruffis, .....
Kingis Vallis, .....
Summa, Ixx lib. vj s. viij d.
3d May, 1533.
The said day, thir personis vnder writin : that is to say, Gilbert Menzeis,
prouest, Andro Cullan, Thomas Menzeis, Dauid Andersoun, Alex. Ruther-
•
XX s.
.
XX s.
.
X s.
.
xxx s.
.
XX s.
xiij s.
, iiij d.
XX s.
. xiij s.
iiij d.
X s.
xxxiii s.
iiij d.
xxvi s.
viij d.
vi s.
viij d.
xiij s.
iiij d.
XX s.
X s.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 149
furd, and Johnn Blak, ar content to gif thair louit seruitour, Andro Lame, 3d May,
for his dalie guid seruice within thair quere at all diuine seruice, ilk ane of ^^^'
thame ane dais meit in the owik, on to the tyme he be better prouidit : that
is to say, the prouest, Sonday ; Thomas Menzeis, Monnonday ; Dauid An-
dersoun, Tuisday ; Andro CuUane, Vedinsday ; Watt Cullan, Fruisday ;
Johnn Blak, Friday ; and Andro Durty, Setterday.
26th May, 1533.
The prouest, bailzeis, and consaill, present for the tyme, maid, constitut,
and ordanit Georg Annan pvndler of thar kirk yard, and ordanit the pund-
lene of euery best to be four d. ; and gif he thoUis ony bestis to cum in the
kyrkyerd frathinfurtht vnpundyt, his crag to be put in the gouchf at the
will of prouest and consaill.
Uth October, 1533.
The said day, the prouest and counsale consented to give the lordis of
Bonaccord of the year bygane tene merkis for thair feis, of the first
raone the tovnn gettis in and ma guidlie forder, how sune it ma be
gotin.
15^A December, 1533.
The said day, the counsale, present for the tym, all in ane voce con-
cordand, deuisit and ordand all the takismen of the watteris of this guid
townn to pay and deliuer yeirlie at the natiuite of our Lord, callit zowill, the
lithis of wax, to the honour of God, our lady, and thair patroun Sanct Ni-
cholace, conforme to thair auld vse and consuetud ; that is to say, euery
takisman of the raik and Done, thre lithis ; euery takisman of the mult-
singill, tua lithis ; euery takisman of the pot, firdis, and authard part, and
saxt part of the cruffiis, ane licht, weyane ilk licht half ane lib., with thair
avin mark on the same, to be gevin to the lichis of our altaris of our lady
croce, in the loft, and Sanct Nicholace, and to ressaue thair [ ] agane
yeirlie, and mak and gif thair candill at zowell, as said is, in all times cum-
ing, conforme to the auld vse and consuetud.
\Qth January, 1535.
The said day, the counsale, present for the tyme, commandid and ordinit
150 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
10th January, thair prouest, Andro CuUane, to send thair tolbuith knok in Flanderis, and
1835. cause mend the same, and gif it can nocht be raendit, to by thame ane new
knok on the tovnis expensis ; and als to big oup the tovnis beikynnis, and to
tak oup the radiest of the tovnis dettis, and raalis of the Donn and crewis,
and spend thairvpoun, and the tovnis wther necessar commond varkis, and
quhat expensis he makis thairupoun thai sail thankfuUie alow to him in his
nixt comptis.
SOth April, 1535.
The said day, it is thocht expedient, and ordanit by the counsale, that all
the zoung abil men within this guid [toune] haue thair grene cottis, and agit
men honest cottis, efferand to thame, and obey and decor the lordis of Bon-
accord, conforme to the auld lovable use of this guid toune, under the pains
of braking of command and statuts of the guid tovne that beis conwickit
thairof, and to be punnest conforme thairto.
I2th January, 1536.
The said day, the prouest and counsale present for the tyme ordinit
Andro Cullane to writ for the man that makis the tovnis knok, and cause
him cum hame with the samyn, and sett hir oup on the tovnis expensis ; and
quhat expensis he makis thairon he salbe thankfuUie pait of same agane.
23rf July, 1537.
The sayd day, the prowest and conseill present for the tyme, thocht ex-
pedient and ordanit that thair awin knok, quhilk wes reformit and mendit
be freir Alexander Lyndsay, suld be set and imput agane in the maist con-
venient place of thair tolbuitht, quhar sche mycht be seurlyast keipit ; and
that to be done incontinent, be the awyse of the correkar of the same, on
the tovnis expensis.
Item, the said prowest and conseill findis and deliueris, that Androw
Cullane aucht to be thankfully payit of the expensis mayd be hyme on the
hame bringing and hying of the knok out of Flanderis, at thair commandis.
And gyf the said Androw can find or get ane competent pryce for the said
knok, thai ordane hym to sell the same, be the awyse of the prowest and
conseill, to the vtilite and profeyit of this gud toun.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 161
I2th October^ 1537. 12th October,
Thir are the names chosin be the toun to procur with Sanct Nicolace braid i^^-
for this instant yeir :
Item, in the first, the prowest and the four baizes on solemp dayse, &c.
The prowest, balzeyse, and consell statutis and ordanis, that thir personis
aboun wrytin pass vith Sanct Nicolace breid quhen thai ar warnit be the
secrestanis seruand, or him self, at thair housis, thai beand at hame and
nocht seyk. And quhat that dissobeyse, the secrastane prewand his warn-
nyng, he sail pay als mekill to Sanct Nicolace wark as the breid siluer
drew to the last Sonday afor ; and gyf the secrastan prewis nocht his warn-
ing, he sail pay als mekill siclik as the bred to the Sonday forrow.
\3th October, 1537.
The sayd day, the consell dewysit and ordanit that thair suld be fyw
merkis gewin to frier Alexander Lyndsay for the completing of thair knok,
quhilk thai ordane to be takin oup of the rediest of thair mailis of Done.
17 th January, 1538.
The said day, the haill towne, present for the tyme, geff thair fre
electioun to the chasing of thair maister of thair gramer skoull, to the pro-
vest, baizes, and consale, quhilkis var present for the tyme, and inclosit
in the consalhous, quhilkis for the maist part chesit Maister Hew Manro,
on his gud bering, and ordanit him to pas to the chanselar of Aberdene,
and desyre his admissioun tharvpoun, conforme to our souerane lordis
request maid to the forsaid prowest, baizes, and consale, wnder his graces
signet and subscriptioun, on the quhilk the said Master Hew tuk nott and
instrument.
The said day, Maister Laurens Chene, scribe of the consistcrie of Aber-
dene, in name and behalf of ane rycht virschipfull dark, Maister Johne
Reid, cancellar of Abirdene, and commissar generall of Abirden, exponit
to the prowest and consale how he had chosin ane abill, conwenyent, dis-
creit man, to be maister of thair gramer skoull, callit Maister Robert
Skeyne, beseikand thair maisterschipis and the haill towne to ressaue hym
thankfully, for sic steid and plesur he mycht do thaira in tym cumyng, be-
caus the admissioun and presentatioun of the said maister pertenit to hym,
as he allegit ; and, gif the said Maister Robert vas nocht abill thairfor, nor
162 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
17th January, vsit hym nocht for the commond veill of thair barnis, he said remoif him
1538. J^Q^ imput ane wther in his rowme mair abill thairfor be thair awyse ; quhilk,
gif thai refusit, he protestit solempnitly, that quhat thai did in the said mater
suld nocht hurt his rycht, and for remeid of law quhene tym and place re-
quirit. On the quhilk he tuk not, vytnes the provest and baizes, except
Vm. Rolland, with the maist pairt of consale.
1th February y 1538.
The said day, the prowest, in presens of the baizes and haill consall pre-
sent for the tyme, red opinly in the consalhous this ansur wnder wrytin,
quhilk thai deuysit obefor to be gewin to our souerane lord as response to
his graces supplicatioun, send for Patrik Forbes for the landis of Ardler ;
quhilk beyng red the haill baizes and consale forsaid thocht the same verray
Weill dewesit, and ordanit the same to be closit wnder thair commond signet,
and dehuerit agane to the said Patrik, conforme to the charge of the said
requeist, quhilk wes closit in thair presens and deliuerit to the commoun
dark, to be reddy to the said Patrik quhen he requirit the same ; of the
quhilk ansur the tennour foUowis : Schir, vnto your grace our humill
seruice ve comend, and hes ressauit your graces wryting supplicatour for
setting of the landis of Ardler, pertenyng to the ouphald of the brig of Dee,
to Patrik Forbes, quha hes maid your grace to wnderstand that he suld hef
thai landis of wss, wnder forme of instrument, quhilk is nocht of verite.
Schir, the verite heirof is, that the landis of Ardler war gewin for the
ouphald and mantenyng of the said brig, quhilk is the commoun weill of
the haill cuntre ; and thai landis ar circuit betuix the landis of the For-
bessis and the Lesleyis, quhilkis of auld hes bene in greyt innimite, and
thai bayth desiris to hef entres to the saidis landis. And schir, gif ather
of thaira gettis entres thairto, thai sell in schort tyme thairefter appropir
the samyn to thara and thairis, and suld be accasioun of renewyng of the
auld displesur done amangis tharae, and we callit the occasioneris thairof.
Quharfor, schir, your graces haill toune of Aberdene, beyng conuenit in
the tolbuith of the samyn, and circulary inquirit, all in ane voce, dissentit
that thai landis suld be sett to other Forbes or Lesley, or to ony vther
gentillman, for the causis forsaid ; but allanerlie, to husband men, laboraris
of the ground, that wald gif maist thairfor, to the vttermost profyt of that
commoun wark ; and instantly thai chesit certane commissaris to sett the
saidis landis, quhilkis hes sett the samyn to husband men, laboraris of the
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 163
ground, for fywe yeiris ; and this wes done afor your nobill graces vryting 7th February,
com till ws ane lang tyme. Schir, our haill beleif is, ye will hef raair re- ^''^^'
spect and desir to the mantenyng of the comraoun weill of sic ane commoun
werk, then to ony ane of ws particulary. Forthir, Schir, our self and all
that we heff ar reddy to fulfill quhat it sell playse your nobill grace to
charge, as knawis God, quhome be keipar of your grace, at your maist
nobill hartes desir. At Abirdene, the sewint day of Februar. Sic sub-
scribitur, ve your graces puir and huniill seruandis prowest, baizes, and
consale of your burgh of Abirdene.
I3th February, 1538.
The said day, it wes dewisit and ordanit be the baizes and consale wnder
wrytin, that thair prowest pas to Edinburgh, for the defense of the gryt
sklander and fals narratioun maid on diuerse nychtbouris of the same, and
on the haill towne, be Maister Valtir Stewart, and to informe the kingis
grace and lordis, and in speciall the bischope of Abirdene, of the verite,
tweching the away passing of freir Kelour, quhnm inlikwyse thai maid,
constitut, and ordanit thair procuratour, to defend the summondis rasit
vpon the towne be Mr. Andro Lesly, and ordanit hym to mak ane pro-
curatory in Edinburgh, and gaif hym power to substitut quhatsumever
procuratouris he thocht expedient, promittand thame, be the fayth in thair
bodeis, to keip ferme and stabill quhat he or his substitutis did in the said
mater. And inlykwyse thai ordane hym to tak thair ansur with hym, that
thai hef maid to the kingis letteris supplicatouris rasit be Patrik Forbes
for thair landis of Ardlar, and to informe his nobill grace of the verite of
that mater ; and ordanis that thair be borrowit and ouptakin fra Valtyr
Cullane and George Bisset, keparis of thair girsummes, the sowme of xx"
merkis, of that ten lib. to be gewin to the prowestis expenses, and fywe
merkis to James Andersone and Johne Mudy, quhilkis ar summoned be
ressone of the wrang narratioun forsaid ; and chargit Androw Durty to
deliuer xx" merkis of the mallis of Done to the said Walter and George
at Wytsonday nixt cumis, for the said xx" merkis nione borrowit, quhilk he
oblegit hym to do be the fayth in his body. In vytnes of the quhilk, the
maist part of the consale present for the tym subsrcyuit this ordinans aboue
vrytine. Heir followis the names of the consale present for the tyme :
Thomas Menzes, provest, Gilbert Menzes, Johne Collisone, Dauld An-
154 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th February, dersone, Androw Menzes, Alexr. Rutherfurd, William Rolland, Mr. An-
1538. drow Tulidef, Valter Cullane, Alexr. Menzess, Johne CoUisone, Androw
Durty, Gilbert Malisone, Alexr. Kyntoir, and Mathow Branche. Sic sub-
scribitur : Johne CoUisone, Mr. Androw Tulidaf, Villiara Rolland, Dauid
Andersone, Mathow Branche, vith ray hand, Johne CoUisone, Alexr.
Menzes, Gilbert Malisone, Alexr. Kyntoir, with my hand.
I4th February, 1538.
The said day, Thom Dauidsone wes conwickit and put in amerciament
of court, for the hawely and malicious strublyng and myspersonyng of
Jonat Barbour, his moder of law, to forbeir in tym cumyng, and amend as
law will. And the prowest and baizes ordanis hym to cum on Sunday nixt
cumis, in tym of hiemes, with ane vax candill of ane lib., and thair, bair
held, to sit downe on his kneis and beseik the prowest and gud men of the
toune to requeist his gud moder forsaid to forgyf hym, and to reuok the
saidis vordis he said on her, and that thai var verray false, and said hot in
his ire and crabitness ; and, gif euer he did the lyk in tym cumyng, to
pay fywe merkis to Sanct Nicolaus vark on forgyffin, togidder with the ex-
penssis of court ; and that wes gewin for dome be the mouth of Johne
Scheras, dempster of court for the tym. And the said Jonat Barbour
ves maid quyt of all strublens of the said Dauidsone ; and that ues gewin
for dome siclyk, be said dempster.
25th February, 1538.
The said day, the baizes and consall present for the tyrae commandit and
chargit all thair nichtbouris within this towne, that thai nor nane of thair
seruandis cast thair assis nor fulze on the gait within the portis of this
towne in tyme curaing, wnder the pane of viij s. for thair wnlaw ; and als
chargit tham to tak away thair myddyngis quhilkis has muk on the gait
betuix this and Freday nixt cumis, and failzeing thairof, that ony persone
that pleissis to tak away the same but ony perrell. And gif ony be fundin
castand or layng thair asse on the gait in tym cuming, that it selbe lesum
to ony man fyndand thar doyng the same to tak away thair pannis or lumiss
and present the same to the baizes for thair wnlaw.
The said day, the haUl towne beyng warnit be thair hand bell passand
OF THE BURGH OF ABEKDEEN. 155
throcht the rewis and straittis of this towne, on the quhilk the doar thairof 25th February,
maid fayth in iugment, and the maist pairt of thame conwenit within thair ^^^
tolbuytht, and the provest, balzeis, and counsall present for the tyme,
commandit and chargit ilkane of thaira generally to cum on thair lynkis on
Furisday the xi day of March nixt to cum, to thair wapyn schawis, furneist
in thair harness vith jak, speir, swerd, and knapskaw, and vtheris geir, as
is contenit in our souerane lordis letteris direct to thaim thairopone, to be
in thair best deray, ilk persone vnder the pane contenit in the said letteris,
and als thai vald ansur to the kingis grace thairwpoun, and vndir all panes
and charges that efter may follow.
25th February, 1538.
Nomina Assise.
Gilbert Menzes, Mr. Andro Tulidaf, Duncane Mar, Alex. Kyntoir,
Androw Lowsone, Alex. Gray, Gilbert Malisone, James Fentone, Dauid
Arrott, Gilbert Tulidaff, Gilbert Mar, Johne CoUisone, James Litstar,
Thom Hay yonger, Johne Brabner, Williame Andersone, Henry CoUisone.
The said day, Besse Dempster, the spous of Dauid Spilyelaucht, wes
conuik and put in amerciament of court by the sworne assyse aboue vrytin,
all in ane voce, for the hawy and gryt strublens, and myspersonyng of Dauid
Reid, bayth in word and deid, and als the said Dauid, for lycht and hot
sobyr strublens of the said Besse in his awin defense, to forbeir in tym
cumyng, and amend as law will ; and als thai ordane the said Besse, for the
amendis of the said strublens done be hir to the forsaid Dauid, to stand in
the Gowistair, be the awyse of the provest and baizes, and to cum in the
hie kirk on Sunday nixt cumis, and to gang, sark alane, afore the proces-
sioun, vith ane vax candill in hir hand of ane pound, to be ofFerit to the
haly blud lycht, and thairefter to sitt downe on hir kneis and beseik the
prowest, baizes, and gud men of the toune to requeist and cans the said
Dauid to forgyf hir, and to reuok and agane say the vordis said be hir to
the said Dauid ; and gif euer scho did or said sic vordis or strublens to him,
or ony vther nychtbour of this towne, in tyme cumying, to be baneist thairof
for euer ; and the baizes chargit hir to pay the said Dauid the expenssis of
the court, and that wes gewin for dome, be the mouth of Johne Scherar,
dempstar of court, for the tyme, and baith the said parteis oblegit thame
in jugment, to stand, fulfill, and abyd at the deliuerance of the forsaid as-
syse.
166 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
Ihh April. lltk April, 1538.
153a -pjjg g^j(j (jj^y^ j^ ^gg statut and ordanit be the prowest, baizes, consall,
and communitie, present for the tym, that na raaner of nychtbour within
this toun duelland suld lay ony fulze or filtht in the maist oppin place of
the Gallowgat, quhilk is afor Johnn Mairis zet, and umquhill Johnn Cul-
lanuis hous, bot at the cassay thairof be anis clengit, and gif it sell hapin
ony maner of persoun to lay ony maner of fulze thair in tymmis cumming,
thai sell pay the baizes vnlaw of viij s. vnforgewin, and it selbe lesum to
quhatsumeuer nychtbour that reprehendis the layaris of the said fulze in the
place forsayd, to tak the veschell that it sell happin to be brocht in, to be
keipit quhill thai be punyst for the braking of this statut.
21 5^ May, 1538.
The said day, Robert Arthur and Johnn Arthur, sonis to Johnn Arthur,
war accusit for the strublens of ray lordis of Bonacordis, and of this guid
toune, in judgement ; and sic like, for this strublens of Dauid Arrot, and for
wrangeous takin of his hors and quhynggar, denyit ; and sic like, the sayd
Dauid wes accust for the strublens of the saydis Robert and Jonn ;
and sic like, for the strublens of Margrait Urquhart thair moder, for the
casting of draff on her throw malyce, in special in tyrae of Ewin sang, and
sic like, denyit ; quhilks actions of strublens, with consent of the forsayd
partis, wes present to the decisioun and knawledge of the assyss afor ex-
ponit, quhilks war chosen and sworne tharto, and accepit the samand on
thame furth of court, reraolvit and ryply awisit, with the depositions of di-
werse and sindrie famos personis enterit in court, fand and deliuerit, all and
in ane voce, Gilbert Menzes, chanslor, that the forsaydis Robert and Johnn
hed strublit the said Dauid ; and sic lik, the said Dauid for the strublens of
the saidis Johnn and Robert, but the protestatoun wes fundin in thame ; and
als the saydis Robert and Johnn hed strublit the lordis of Bonacord, and
this guid towne, in stoping of dansing, and plesure dewisit, to the plesure of
the samyn, quherfor thai, and ilk ane of them, was in amerciament of the
court to forbere in tyme cumning, and the amendis tharof continuit to be
maid be the awiss of the prouest and counsale, and the said Dauid maid
faitht in judgement, at the command of the said assyss, that he kest na draf
on the forsayd Margrait for malice or envy, and sa ves maid quit of all stru-
blens of her, and the sayd John Arthur chargit to deliuer the quhingar
again quhilk he hes pertaining to Dauid Arrot.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 157
The sayd day, the prouest and bailzies, present for the tyme, at command 2ist May,
of the assyss afor writin, and of thair awn authorite, coraraandit and chargit ^^^'
Robert Arthur, Johnn Arthur, Sanderis Forbes, and William Holland
youngar, on that ane part, to set sufficient cautioun and lauborrouis or thai
dupart of the tolbutht, that Dauid Arrot and Henre CoUisoun, on that
oder part, (quhilks maid faitht thai dred bodely harm of thame,) suld be
harmles and skaithles, and sic lik, the toune, and induellaris tharof, of
thame, and all that thai ma lat forther thame, by order of law ; and sic
like chargit the sayds Dauid and Henre to set cautioun and lauborrouis,
that the sayds Robert, Johnn, Sanderis, and Villiame suld be harmles of
thame, and all that thai ma lat forther thame, be order of law.
25tk May, 1538.
The said day, the prouest, bailzies, and counsell, present for the tyme,
ordanit and chargit Robert Arthur, and Johnn Arthur youngar, sonis to
Johnn Arthur, to cum the morne within the queyre of Sanct Nicholace
keyrke, in tyme of the hemes, barheyd, ilk ane of thame with ane candill of
vax of ane pound in thair hand, and syt downe on thair kneis and beseyk
the prouest, in the tounis name, to forgyf thame for the strublens don thair-
to be thame, in tyme of thair solace and play ; and in lykwyss to beseyk the
said prouest and guid men of the toune to mak request to the lordis of Bon-
acord to forgyf thame the fait and strublens done to them ; and gif thai, or
ony of thame, committs ony sic like fait, to pay v merkis to Sanct Nicholace
wark, the committar tharof on forgewin.
Mh October, 1538.
The sayd day, the consell forsaid assignis fyw merkis to be gewin to
Dauid Bruce zeirly be the dene of gild for his gud seruice to be done in
keiping and tempering of thair knok within the tolbutht, for his fee.
16M October, 1538.
The sayd day, the vyffis of Gilbert Malysone, Androw Craufurd, Dauid
Arrot, Williame Lowsone, Henre CoUisone, Edwart Innes, Johne Reyd,
Robert Rattre, Mathow Branche, Androw Blycht, Gilbert Skeyne,
Thome Fynne, Wille Schiphird, Thome Trowp, thai, and ilkane of
thame in amerciament of court for the brewing of xvi d. aill, of thair awin
grant maid in jugment ; and inlikvyse, the vyffis of Dauid Reche, Michell
158 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
16th October. Wyll, William Sande, and Dougall and Thome Mayr, thai, and ilkane
1538. Qf thame, in in amerciament of court for brewing of xii d. aill, beyng vn-
fremennis viffiis in braking of common ordinans, to forbeyr in tyra cuming,
and amend as law wyll, and that wes given for dome.
8tk November, 1538.
The said day, comperit in jugment ane venerabill clerk, Mr. Alexander
Spittall, persone of Clait, and exponit to the provest and bailzes how his
freind Henry Levinstoune, Johne Makhe, and Sande Towcht war chargit
to find caution to ansuir at the instance of certane vachis of thir gude
towne for strubling of thame on the nycht, and offerit tham reddy in jug-
ment to ansuyr ony thing that ony man had to say to thame, and als re-
quirit the baizes to inquir and speir at the saidis vachis gif thai war plen-
teous or had ony thing to say to thame, quhilkis vachis ansuirit that thai
var nocht plenteous apoun nane of thame, and the baizes maid thame quyt
thairof in iugment ; on the quhilk the said Mr. Alexander tuik nott and
instrument, and the baizes chargit the forsaid Lewinstoune, Makhe, and
Towcht to compeir this day aucht dais, to beir suithfast wytnessing in the
actionn of strublens mowit be the said wachis, aganis [ ] Straquhene
with intimatioun as efferis.
4th December, 1538.
My lord prowest and bailzes of this nobill burght of Abirdene, vnto
your M[ ], humely menis, schawis, and, be the way of reconuentioune,
complenis, I, Alexr. Moyr younger, vpoun Dauid Bruce, burges of Aber-
dene, that quhar the said Dauid, the aucht day of Januar, in the zeir of
God m v* thretty sex yeiris, promittit to pay me the soume of thretty
poundis, in penny and pennywortht Scottis, at thir termis following, that
is to say, tene poundis at Witsounday, in the yeir of God m v" thretty sex
yeiris, and vderis tene poundis at Witsonday nixt thairefter, and the vderis
tene poundis at the fest of Witsounday in the yeir of God v^^ and thretty
aucht yeiris, and that in tochir gud for the mareage to bene than con-
trackit and solempnizat in face of haly kirk, betuix me and Merzeoure
Bruce, dochter to the said Dauid, betuix the aucht day of Januar forsaid
and fastern ewin nixt thairefter following, quhilk mareage is contract, and
in face of haly kyrk solempnizat, betuix me and the said Merzeour, be the
space of thre zeyris or thairby bygane ; and as yit the said Dauid Bruce
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 169
wrangouslie, and aganis the law, postponis and deferris to pay to me the 4th Dec,
sowme of thretty poundis, in penny and pennyworthis, for the caussis ^^^■
abefoir exprimitt, without he be compellit be justice thairto. Quharfor
I beseik your M[ ] ye wald compell, be justice, the said Dauid Bruce
to the forsaid xxx lib., in pennie and pennie worthis, with my expenssis
mayd and to be mayd in the persute of the samyn ; and this ray petitioune,
be way of reconuentioune, to haf the stryntht of ane borght, gyf neid beis,
and your ansuir heirvpoune humely I beseyk, &c.
9th March, 1539.
The said day, it was funden and deliuerit be the provest and bailzes
aboue writtin, with the awise, consent, and deliuerance of the conseill
vndervrittin : that is to say, Gilbert Menzes of Fyndoun, Andrew Cullane,
John Colisone, vmquhill provestis, Valtir Cullane, Duncane Mar, Alexr.
Nicholsone, and Gilbert Malysone, tuyching the debaitt of the byggyng
of schelis on the vattir bank of the Cruvis, betuix Johne Hay, Dauid
Menzes, Gilbert Pressor, and the laif of the taxman of the tovnis vatteris
of the Cruvis, and Maister Johne Vatsone and Alexr. Forbes, occupiaris
of the landis and toun of Cruvis, pertening to the said burgh, the forsaidis
provest, balzeis and conseill all in ane voce fand and deliuerit, in presens
of the saidis partiis, that it suld be lesum to all and syndre the tovnis tax-
men of thair vatteris of Cruvis, to byg scheill or schelis, sa mony as
thai thocht expedient, on the vattir bank of Cruvis forsaid, to eise thame
self for keiping of thair fische and clayis during the season of thair fisching,
and commandis, chargis and ordanis that thair be na impediment nor stop
maid to thame in bygging of the said schelis in tyme to cum, noyther be
thair tenentis forsaid, thair seruandis, nor vtheris quhatsumevir, vnder all
pane and charge that efter ma follow.
I2th March, 1539.
The sayd day, Margaret Porter, the vyff of Alexr. Kayne, wes convict
for the strublens and myspersonyng of Jonat Chesarae, the vyff of Johne
Valcar, in calling of hir comraond vyld freris hvyr, that scho wes that hes
ane pek of lyiss betuix thi shoulderis ; I sell leid the to the place for the
freir swewyt the, quhar you tynt the pendace of thi belt in the hie publict
gett ; quhairfor scho was put in amerciament of court, to forbeir in tyme
cuming, and amend as law will. And the said Jonat Chesame wes maid
160 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
12th March, quyt of ony strublens or myspersonyng of the said Margaret Porter, and
^^^- that wes gevin for dome. And thairefter the provest and bailzeis, beyng
consultit and awisit with ane parte of the consall, present for the tyrae,
modefiit ane mendis for the said myspersonyng, as efter foUowis : that is to
say, thai ordanit that the said Margaret cum on Sunday nixt, within Sanct
Nicolace hie kirk in tyme of hiemes, cled in lynning claythis, with ane
torche byrnand in hir hand, of thre pound of vax, bair lyg, and thair, afor
the powpytt, and the provest and gude men of this toune, reuoke and agane
say the forsaid vordis, and vtheris said be her of the sayd Jonat, and con-
fess thame verray false and vntrew, and sayd hot of malice and in ire ; and
to syt downe on hir kneyse, as said is, and ask the said Jonat forgyffance,
and request the gud men of the towne to cans the said Jonat to forgyf
hir ; and gif euer scho dois the raaik in tyme cumyng, and beis convickit
thairfor, to pay x lib., vnforgyffin, to Sanct Nicholace vark, and als to
fynd cautioun for the fulfilling of the said mendis or scho duparte of the
tolbuith.
Ath April, 1539.
Heir followis the lordis of Bonacordis desyr :
My lord prowest, baizes, and consall of this guid towne, on to your
M[ ], humelymenis and schawls, we, Waltir Hay and Thomas Scherar,
lordis of Bonacord, that quhar your M[ ] put ws in the said office this
instant yeir, albeit we ar nocht conwenient thairfor, nochttheless we sail,
God willand, do the best we may to your M[ ] honour and the gud
townes. Quharfor we exhort your M[ ] that we hef the auld lowable
vse, lang vsit and kepit within this guid tovne, now in our tyrae, lyk as it
hes bene in our predecessoris tymes : that is to say, all the yong able men
within this guid towne to conwey ws euery Sunday and halyday, and wther
neidfull tymes, aboulzeit as your M[ ] hes deuisit, and agit men to
meit ws at the crabstane or kirkyard ; and thai that compeiris nocht, that
we may poynd thame, conforme to the auld vse, or ellis mony of thame will
nocht obey, &c. And als, at your M[ ] pleysse, rattefy and aflferme
the saying ye promest ws the tyme of our chesing in office : that is to say,
ane of the first freraen that begud at our chesing, that we hef securite in
your bukis thairof ; and your M[ ] ansur heirvpoune maist humely we
beseik, &c. The quhilk petitioun forsaid, the provest, bailzes, consale,
and communite, present for the tym, ratefeit, apprewit, and aflPermit, and
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 161
ordanis the same to be kepit and obseruit in all poyntis thairof, wnder the 4th April,
panis contenit in the same, to be ouptakin and poyndit be the forsaid lordis ^^^•
at thair plesar, &c.
I8th April, 1539.
The said day, the court wardis and schawls for law, and it vas gewyn
for dome, that the takysmen of the townis millis within the towne hes prowyn
suflficiently that thai aucht to hef the xxiiij pek of malt that thai grynd, and
that thai var in vyse of payment of the samyn this lang tyme bygane, and
als to heff ane pek of knaschip of ilk vj boUis of malt thai grynd ; quharfor
the prowest and baizes ordanis thaim to be obeyit of the said raultur, and
keipit in vse of payment of the same, conforme to the auld lowabill vse lang
obseruit within this burght obefoir.
The said day, compeirit in iugment, Johnn Dauidson, indueler in Banff,
and complanit unto the prouest and baizes apoun the personis underwritin :
that is to say, Williame RoUand elder, Dauid Rolland, Williarae Rolland
younger, Alex. Bisset, Johnn Larayntone, Alex. Nicholsone, and Johnn
Chalmer, quhilks, as he allegit, wrangously, and againis the law, took away
frae him this gair efter foUowin : to wit, ane swerd and ane bucklar, vurtht
XX s., and ane bag, and belt, ane phingar, and within the bag the soume of
XXX s. of small silvar ; and mair, attour, that the personis forsayd had him
to the tolbuitht, and put him in the stokes ; and als that the forsayd William
Rolland eldar, and his complices, tuk away frae hym wrangously ane coitt
of grene kendilling, quhilk cost in all thingis iiii merks ; and ane gal coit,
vurtht xiiii s. ; ane blak bonat, with ane typpat of taphite, cost xvii s. iiii d. ;
ane blak hatt, and ane typat, cost viii s. ; ane pare of double solit schone,
cost xl d. ; ane pare of spuris, cost xii d. ; and in likwiss, that quhen thai
had put hym in the stokkes, that thai tuk out of his sleyff, in ane purss, xi lib.
xii s. of gould ; and als strak hym, and tuk him be the hair and rappit his
heid to the wall ; and als that thai vrangously passit to Alex. Bards stabil,
and tuk ane gray horss quhilks he had poynded fra Edward Drum for
[ ] of the lard of Wauchtoun, as he allegit; and beseikit the prouest
and baizes for remeid of law. And therefter the forsayd personis, and ilk
ane of thame, being accusit in gugement be the prouest and baizes for the
wrangis forsayds, thai denyit the same ; quhilks wrang and strublens the
prouest and baizes present to the decisoun and knawlege of the assyss
162 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
18th April, underwriten, of baith the parteis consentis : that is to say, Gilbert Menzes,
1539. Henry Erwin, Duncan Mar, Williame Lyoun, George Bisset, Johnn
Arthur, Gilbert Malisoun, Gilbert Tullidef, Walter Hay, Will. Quhyt,
Rob. Blak, Alex. Kintoir, Johnn Brabner, Williame Andersone, and An-
drou Crauford, quhilks beyng sworn and admitted in gugment, furtht of
court remouit, and accepand the forsayd matteris on thame, enterit in court
agane, fand and deliurit, all and in ane voce, that the forsayd Johnn Dauid-
8on, beyng ane mair deput of Abirdene for the tyme, disobeyit the forsayd
Williame RoUand eldar, shiref deput of Abirdene for the tyme, and mys-
personet hym with mony ewil wordis said to him be the sayd Johnn, and
boistit the said shiref with ane knyff at his awn buitht dur ; for the quhilks,
the said shiref, be way of correctioun in executioun of his office, put the
sayd Johnn in the stokkes, and fand that he did nae wrang thairof, and als
thai raak him quit, and Dauid Rolland, Villiame RoUand youngar, Alex.
Nicholsoun, Johnn Chalmer, Alex. Bisset, and Johnn Lamyntoun, of all
wrang dun to the sayd Johnn Dauidsoun be the said Williame Rolland elder,
and als be ony of thame to him, and sic lik of the clame of gair and gudis
forsaid, becauss he preuit naething of the sayd clame, neier be vitnes nor
writ ; quherfore the prouest and baizes forsayd dischargit and absouit the
sayd personis of the forsaydis strublens and gair, and accepit the sayd de-
liuerauce, and ordanis the same to be keipit in all pointis and partis thairof,
under quhilk the sayd personis tuik nocht.
28<A April, 1539.
The said day, the haill towne beyng varnit to this day be thair bell man
passand throcht thair rewis, and the maist parte thairof beyng conwenit
within the tolbuitht, and thai beyng circuly inquirit be Dauid Andersone
baize, gaif, grantit, and assignit the altarage of Sanct Peter, within thair
paroche kirk of Sanct Nicholace, vacand in thair handis be the deceise of
vmquhile Schir Willeame Coupar, to ane venerable dark, Maister James
Menzes, persone of Dunnotter, for all the dais of his lyftyme, for the repa-
ratioun and byggyng of the tenementis and landis pertening to the said
altarage, and for to wesy and se thair daily seruice dewyne within thair
queyr, and cans the same be ordourit and keipit to the honour and plesur of
God in the best sort he can dewyse, and ordanit Thomas Menzeis, thair
provest, to present him to the same, and seill his presentatioun and gyft
with thair commound seill ; on the quhilkis Mr. Robert Menzes, his procura-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 168
tour, tuk nott and instrument, vytnes, Mr. Andrew Tulidaf, Mr. Johne 28th April,
Gordone, Johne Arthur, and Maisteris Johne Nicholsone and Johne ^^^^•
Hay, notaris publik. And the prowest, of his benevolence, promittit
to the town that he suld caus the said Mr. James to refund and pay
yeirlie the soume of ten pundis to ane syngar for daly seruice within thair
queyr.
19^A May, 1539.
The said day, EUene Rannaldsone wes convict of hir awin toung grant
maid in jugment, for the oppynnyng of nychtbouris durris with wrang
keyis, and steling as of thair stuff, wnder silence of nycht ; and als Elspet
Meldrum, hir modir, wes convict for the braking of our souerane lordis vard,
vnder silens of nycht, siclyk ; quhairfor ilkane of thaira vas put in amer-
ciament of court, to forbeir in tyme cuming, and amend as law will ; and
the consall and baizes present for the tyme ordanit thame to be banist of
of this gud towne thairfor for euer ; and gif euer ony of thame var fundin
within this toune, ane bait irne to be laid on thair cheyk. And that wes
gyffin for dome, be the moucht of Johne Scherar, dempstar of court for the
tyme. And als the baizes passit to the mercat croce, with thair dark and
officiar, and thair, be oppin proclamatioun, banyst the saidis personis, as
said is, for thair deraeritis.
23c? May, 1539.
The said day, Johne Vatsone and Valter Stewart, seruandis to my
Lord Abirdene, exponit to the bailzeis in jugment, how they hed diuerse
and syndrie tyraes, in thair maisteris name, plenzeit to thaim on the
fyscheris of Futy, quhilkis, as thai allegit, hed syndrie tymes schewit the
fysche to cum to thair vattir of Done in the auld vatter gang, and specially
this day instantly hed done the samyn, and that they culd get na remeyd
thairfor. Quharfor thay protestit for tym and place to persew the said
fyscheris afor ony juge or jugis thai think expedient, on the quhilk thai
tuk instrument. And the baizes chargit thair officiaris to pass to the said
vatter gang incontinent, and fesche the saidis personis that thai find thair-
on, or varne thaim, on the whilkis the saidis personis are plenteous on, and
put tham in the tolbuith on to the tyra thai ansur to the said lordis instance,
and fynd cautioun for the skayth.
164 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
2d June. 2d June, 1539.
1539. Tjjg gayj (jj^y^ ^jjg prowest and baizes consentis and ordanis, wytht the
awse of the hayll towne, that thair be ane cassay makar feyit and conducit
for daly wagis, to raak, reforme, and mend all the streyttis and calsayis of
the sayd burght, and to gett ane dayse mett of euerilk nychtbour thair
tyme about, sa lang as he beis making the said calsayis, with ane penne of
euerilk housse haldar within this burght, to be gewin corresponding ilk day
to his wagis.
13^^ June, 1539.
The said day, the provest, baizes, and haill consall present for the tyme,
Weill gadderit within thair consal hous of thair tolbuith of Abirdene, all in
ane voce feitt and conducit John Collisone zonger, son to vmquhill James
CoUisone, thair weill beluffit nychtbour, quhom God assolze, and ordanis
thair dene of gild to ansur him of ten raerkis yeirly vsuall money of Scot-
land, at twa vsuall termes in the yeir, Mertimes and Vytsonday, be ewynly
portionis, and that for his guid, leill, and trew seruice, and continuall resi-
dence to be maid within thair paroche kirk in mess, mattynnis, and ewin-
sang, and all vther devyne seruice, festuall day and feriall day, quhill God
and thay provyd him to a largear fee, eftir his gud bering and conditionis,
quhilk thay beleyf selbe better wortht in tyme cumyng.
23</ June^ 1539.
The sayd day, the prowest, balzess, and haill towne, consentis and as- ,
sentis that the gray freiris of this burght get the barne pertenyng to
Androw Cullane, lyand at the eist syd of the said burght nixt adiacent to
thair yard, to thair profyt and wse as thai think expedient, to dispone
thairupoun for suffrage to be done be thaim in all tym to cum ; and that
the said Androw get als mekill rowme of the townis commonty, besyd the
aid hattis behind the gray freiris, besyd the said Androwis croft, to byg
hym ane vder bame vpoun of the sam lynth and breid.
The balzeis and prowest assignit to the lordis of Bonacord, of this in-
stant year, to wit, Tohmas Scherar and Valter Hay, John Micchelsonis
compositioun of fremenschip, to be takin oup be thame, conforme to the act
maid by the haill consall of befor.
OP THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 165
21th June^ 1539. 27th June,
The said day, the consall ordanit Mr. Andrew Tulidaf, dene of gild, to ^^^"
pay William Purwass fywe merkis Scottis for the mending of thair knok
in the tolbuith, the quhilk he deliuerit to hym at command of the prowest
this day, and was dischargit thairof, on the quhilk he tuk nott.
Ath July, 1539.
The baizes ordanit Mr. Androw Tulidaf, dene of gild, to pay Robert
Vyschert x s., for the paynting of the tolbuith horrelage, within viij dais.
\5th September^ 1539.
The said day, the prowest, baizes, and maist parte of the consall, beyng
presently convenit, to the effect wnder wrytin, within the consal hous of the
tolbuith of Abirdene, hawand respect to the trublous passagis now beyng
presently within this realme, throw occasioun of the contagius iufeckand
pest, callit the boiche, quhilk ryngis in diuerse partis of the same now in-
stantly : Thai, efter detfull consultatioun and consideratioun, beyng riply
and at gryt lynth awysit, all in ane voce statut and ordanit, that the baizes
pas euery ane of thame throw thair awin quarter, within the boundis of
the haill toune, and cerse, vesy, and se all maner of codderaris, vagaboundis,
and puyr boddeis, quhilkis ar nocht natiue of this towne borne, that hes
nocht to leif gudly on thair awin, and command and charge thame and
ilkane of thaim that thai incontinent remoif tham selfis, thair gudis, sfif
thai ony heff, furth of this toun, within xlviij houris efter thai be chargit
be thame thairto, vnder the payne of layng of ane bait irne on thair cheik ;
and gif thai failze and disobeyis the same, thai ordane that the bailzes lay
the said jme on thair cheik. And inlykwyse thai ordane that the belman
pas throcht all the stretis and vnydis of this toun, commanding and charg-
ing, in the kingis name, and townis, provest, and baizes of the same, that
no induellar within the toun, of quhat degre that euer thai be of, tak on
hand to hous nor harbre na maner of strangear, vagabound, nor codderar,
without licence and leif askit and obtenit be thame of the provest and
bailzes. And gif ony ane of thame failzeis heirintill, that it ma be verefiit
on thaim, the doaris thairof to be banyst of the toun for yeir and day ; and
this statut aboue vrytin to be inuiolably obseruit and kepit within this
burgh, and oppynly proclamit at the mercat croce.
166 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
10th October, \Oth October^ 1539.
1M0.
The said day, the haill counsall present for the tyme consentit and as-
sentit, all in ane voce, that certane of thair artelzery and pulder be lennit
to Patrik Erie Bothwall, he fyndand suflBcient strenzeabill cautioun and
and souerty to deliuer, restoir, and pay the samyn agane, als guid as he
introraettis with the samyn, in the first schippis that curarais betuix, and
that the said cautioun be incertit in the court bukis.
I3th October, 1539.
The said day, it wes statut and ordanit be the provest, baizes, and haill
consall, all in ane voce, that because of the gryt multitude of strangearis
that ar of new cumin to this burgh till remane in the same, quhilkis hes
nocht of thair awin to leif apoun, quharfore thai ordane that the balzeis pas
throcht thair quarteris, and tak inquisitioun and knawlege of euery persone
duelland within this toun, quha is lauchtfuU nychtbour, and quhat thai hef
to leif apoun, and quhow and quharbe thai leif, and gif thai be sufficient
to remane within burght ; and thai that ar on sufficient nychtbouris, and
fundin nocht lauchtfuU be ane vnsuspect and condigne assise, that thai
be remowit and expellit of the towne within xlviij houris nixt efter thai be
chargit thairto ; and quha that beis fundin within this toun thairefter, thai
ordane ane hait jrne to be laid on thair cheik for thair inobediens, and than
to be put out of the toun. And thai ordane that na cautioun selbe tane
of sic on abill personis in tyme cumyng, noder be provest nor baize, for na
request or supplicatioun that may be maid thairfor, &c.
The said day, the consall forsaid assignis fourty sillingis to be gewyn
to Androw Feildlar yeirly, be thair denis of gild, for his guid seruice to
be done in keipyng and temporing of thare knok within the tolbuitht, for
his fee ; and als ordanis the denes of gild to mak payment to Dauid Bruce
executouris of his fee, sa lang as he maid seruice on payit for.
I4tk January, 1540.
The haill toune, present for the tyme, except Maister Androw Tullidef,
Wm. RoUand, Alexr. Forbes, Gilbert Tullidef, Walter Lesley, Alex.
TuUydef, and William RoUand zoungar, consentis and assentis, all in ane
voce, that Andro Lausone and Jame Lausone, his broder, thair commound
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN 167
menstrallis for the tyme, selbe fey it and conduycit for thair actuall and I4th January.
continuall gud seruice to be done be thaim, as ws wes be the menstrallis ^^^
afor thaim, thair predecessouris, at ewin and mome, and vder tymmis neyd-
fuU, concerning the toune, for all the days of thair lyf, and sell half thair
daily vaigis and meyt of the nychtbouris of this gud towne circularie, con-
forme to the auld lovabill wse and consuetud of this nobill burght obseruyt
in tymmis bygane.
22d January, 1540.
The said day, in the actioun and cans movit be Andro Chalmer, in
Westar Fintra, upon Barbara Dya Baptista and Helen Andree, thair
complices, to the number of ten personis, frends and servands to Erie
George, callit of Egipt, makand mentioun that in the monyth of October
last bypast, come to his houses in Wester Fintra, and thair thiftiusly staw
and tuik fra hym out of his kyst, in his chalmer, the sowm of twenty four
marks money of the realme, and will mak him na restitution thairof wythout
thai be compellit.
Nomina Assise. Patrik Forbes, Duncane Mar, Walter Cullan, Maister
John Fress, Gilbert Fress, Walter Hay, Androw Crawfurd younger,
Androw Durtty, Alexr. Nicholsone, Alexr. Forbes, David Menzies, Johne
Rattre, Henry CoUisone, Thomas Hay, William Carnis.
The sayd day, Barbara Baptista and Helen Andree, Egiptians, war
accusit in jugment be the prowest for the wrangous waytaking of xxiiij
marks money of Scotland fra Androw Chalmer in Wester Fyntra, out of
his kyst, quhilk thai denyit be George Faw, thair capitane and forspeikar,
and Maister Thomas Annand, thair procuratour. And thairefter, with
consent of bayth the said partiis, the said action was put to the decisione
and knawlege of the assyss aboun wrytine, quhilk was chosin and sworne
in jugment, in presens of partiis, and admittit be thaim furtht of court re-
mowit, and at lyntht awysit wytht the depositionis of the wytnes producit
be the said Androw Chalmer, enterit in court, fand and deliuerit, all in
ane voce, that the said Androw Chalmer bed failit in his preyf twyching
waytaking of the forsaid money, and maid the said Barbara and Helene,
Egiptians forsaid, quyt of the clame of the same claimit at thaim be the
said Androw, and dischargit thaim thairof be the haill assyss forsaid. And
the said Egiptianis protestit for thair expensis againe the said Androw
168 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
22d January. Chalmer, and desyrit caution of the said Androw to answer at thair instans,
1540. j^g jj^^ ^j]]^ quhilk fand John Chalmer cautioner, to Alexander Hay, officiar.
The said day, Alexander Chalmer, procurator for the said Androw Chal-
mer, protestit for tyme and place to persew the laif of the Egiptianis for
the said money, and tuk not that the said Barbara and Helene allanarly
ar made quyt of the said claim, as he allegit.
The said day, Maister Thomas Annand, procuratour for the Egiptianis,
and George Faw, thair capitaine, requirit Androw Chalmer in jugment to
nayme or nott samony of thair company as he wes plenteus on for the thift-
ouss waytaking of his money, quhilk accepit allanarlie at that tyme hot twa,
that is to say, Barbara Dya Baptista and Helen Andree ; and the forsaid
procuratour protestit that he said hef na place in tyme cuming to persew
nane of the company, becaus thai war all present in jugment.
28th January^ 1540.
The said day, George Faw and Johnne Faw, Egiptianis, ware convict
be the sworne assys aboune wrytine for the blud drawing of Sande Bar-
rowne, and the said Barrowne convict for the strublens of thaim and the
prouocatioune fundin in hym ; quharfor thai and ilk ane of thaim war
in amerciament of court, to forbeir in tym cumming, and amend as law will,
and ordanit the saids Egiptianis to pay the harbour for the leyching of the
said Barrowne, and to gyf him a crowne of the sone for the amends of the
said blud within viii days.
Wth February i 1540.
The balzess chargit Gilbert Malisone, maister of the brig wark, to pass
and vesy the brig of Dee, and tak alse mony seruandis with hym as he
thinkis necessar to prowyd remeid for saifty of the said bryg fra the dan-
geir of the spayt apperand to be, and to eschew the samyn, and pay the
said seruandis for thair labouris.
21*^ February^ 1540.
The bailzeis charged George Faw, Egiptian, and his brother, to remoif
thameself, their cumpany, and gudis of this toun, betuix this and Sonday
nixt cummis, under all pane and charge that aftir ma follow ; and in the
myntime, that nane of thair cumpany cum in ony houss or cloiss in this
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 169
toun, bot gif thai be sent about, and gif ony dois quhat beis away in the 2ist February,
same houss, that the said George and his brother sal refound sayme. ^^^•
4th March, 1540.
The said day, the Egiptianis quhilks wer maid quytt obefor of Androw
Chalmeris clame maid Job Faw thar capitanis procurators for thaime, to
persew thair expensiss, and the bailzie geff him power to follow the same,
on the queilks they tuk nott.
26th April, 1540.
The said day, the provest and bailies decernyt and ordanyt Maister
Thomas Chalmer, curat of Abirdene, cheplene of Sanct Katherenis altar,
to be obeyit and ansurit, and his successoris, cheplanis of the said altar,
of ane annuell rent of v s. Scottis, to be optakin yeirly of the landis lyand
in the Grene, pertening the quhyt freiris, betuix the Denburn on the
west, the kingis gayttis on the est and northt partis, and the said freris
yard on the southt, to the quhilk the prior of the saidis freiris consentit
and assentit, for stoping of the dome of property persewit be him of ane
vast land within the saidis merchis, and ordanis him to be payit of thre
termis bygane onpayit, and mair gif he ma preyf it.
27th April, 1540.
The said day, the prowest and baizes, togyder with the raaist pairt of
the consell, present for the tyme, wycht ane consent chesit Dauid An-
dersoun, Alexr, Nicholson, and Gilbert Malysoun, maisteris of wark, to
se the prepairing of Robert Cultis and Thom Breqhynis schip, and caus
the samen to be furnist with all necessaris neydfull to ane schip of weyr,
as the counsell thinkis, expending conforme to the kingis charge direct
heirupoun, quhilkis sail resaif money, and mak compt thairof to the towne,
in sa far as they weir vpoun the said schip, and chargit Walter Cullane
and George Bysset to deliuer the said Dauid Andersoun tuenty povndis
of the dowbill gersummis quhilk thai haf in keiping in thair handis.
1st May, 1540.
The said day, the haill toune beyng warnit be thair hand bell and offi-
ciaris passand throw all the rewis of the towne, to the effect wnder wrytine,
gaderit and conuenit within the tolbuitht for the maist pairt, wyth ane voce
170 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
i»tM»j, assent and consent chesit thir personis wnder wrytine, that is to say,
1540. Thomas Menzeis, provest, Maister Andro TullideflP, Alexr. Menzes,
Androw Menzes, and Alexander Gray, baizes ; Gilbert Menzes, Andro
Cullane, Johne Colleson, Alexr. Ruderfurd, Dauid Andersone, Williame
RoUand, Walter Cullane, Duncane Mar, Johne Chalmer, and Johne
Rutherfurd, factouris and commissionaris in that part, to se, consult, and
considder quhat the towne hes reddy to weir and deburse to the preparatioune
of the schip to be send to the kingis grace, of the men and vitteilis accord-
ing thairto, and be quhat maner the samyn salbe spendit ; and gyf thai haf
nocht so mekill as wil extend to the repairing of the said schip, to calcul
the excess necessar to be spendit, and to se and considder and find the
esiast way quhar the same salbe gottine, with powar to thame to gif dis-
chargis and acquyttans thairupoune.
The said day, the prowest commandit and chargit opinlie all and sindry
nychtbouris of this toun, that nane of thaim way put nor dispone vpoun
the necessaris requirit to the said schip as ane schip of weir, sic as gunnis,
culuemigis, pulder, hames, pyk and vapnis, wyth all vder premunitionis
conuenient for ane schip of veir, vnto the tyme the forsaid schip be sted
and furnyst with all necessaris, vnder all the hiast pane that thai ma incur
heirupoune at our souerane lordis handis.
Sth May, 1540.
The said day, the haill towne being warnit be the officiaris, and be thair
hand bell passand thro all the rewes and stretis of the same, one the
quhilkis the officiaris and belman maid faith in jugment, and the nychtbouris
of the samyn beinge weill convenit in the said tolbouth, representand the
haill body of the towne for the tyme, it was oppinlie exponit to thaim be
the provest forsaid, quhow the auditouris of covnptis haid extremlie ex-
eminyt the covmptis of the said burght, in presens of our lord bischop of
Abirden, and quhow the comont guid of the samyn mycht nocht furneise
the schip and personis that thai wer chargit to furneise to the kingis grace,
and quhow attour the haill commont guid restand, thair behuffyt a gret
sowme to be furnest to the neid of the said schip and personagis ; quharfor
the haill toune consentit and assentit all in ane voce, except Gilbert
Tulidef, that thair suld be certane nychtbouris schessin and suorne to sett a
generall taxt amang all the nychtbouris of the said burght for the rest of
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 171
the furnessing of the said schip, quhilkis all, and in ane voce, scheschit 8th May,
thair nychtbouris, Master Andro Tulidef, Master Johne Gordoun, Johne ^'^^*
Collisone yonger, George Bissett, and Sanderis Keyme, to set the said
taxt equalie, euery man efter his substance and faculty, quhilkis personis
wer suorne the gret aytht in jugment, in presens of the haill communite, to
sett the samyn, as thai wald answer to the gret God, noyther for fauour,
priar, nor price, moy nor hatrance, but efter thair saull and conscience, as
thai wald ansuyr to the gret God, to the kingis grace, and towne of Abir-
dene, tharvpone.
Uth May, 1540.
The court wardis and schawls for law, and it wes gewine for dome, that
James Gordoun sell content, refound, and pay to Robert Logy thir sowmis of
money vnder wrytin : that is to say, four pound xiij s. iiij d., quhilk the said
Robert payit to the cheplanis of the cathedrall kirk of Aid Abirdene ; item,
xvi d. of letter syluer ; item, x s., quhilk he payit to the cheplane of Sanct
Annis altar ; item, xl d., payit to the cheplane of the halyblud altar ; item,
xxvj d. for twa yeiris rud mails ; item, xxvj s. ij d., quhilk he payit to Alex.
Gray, as souerty for the said James. Summa of the haill is vj lib. xvj s.
iiij d., quhilk the baizes chargit him to pay within terme of law, togidder
with expenssis of court, to be taxit be thame efterwart.
\5th May, 1540.
The said day, the haill commissaris, beyng present for the tyme, ordanis
the personis chosine taxtaris of the nychtbouris of this toune to sett the
said taxt that it extend to the sowme of fyw hunder raerkis, to furnyss, re-
pair, and sustene the schip of weir to pass to the kingis grace, and the per-
sonis and marenaris to be send thairintill, efter the tenuour of the kingis
charge direct heirupoune, ilk nychtbour ane competent part of the sam,
according to thair faculte and reches, as the said taxtaris wald ansuyr to
God thairupoune.
The haill counsell present for the tym chesit Dauid Andersone, Maister
Andro Tullidef, and William Rolland, auditouris of Gilbert Malysonis
compt and expenssis, and vpoune the schip grathit be the toune to the
kingis grace, with power to allow and dissallow, gif acquittances and dis-
chargis ; quhilkis comptis the said auditouris hes sene and subscrywit, and
172 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
15th May, dlschargit the said Gilbert of the sowm of Ix lib. and v lib., vairit and de-
^**^- bursit be him for the reparing of the said schip.
I6th May, 1540.
The said day, the haill consell and comraissaris, being present for the
tyrae, dewysit, ordanit, and war content that the personis vnder wrytine
pass in the schip of war preparit be the haill townne to serff the kingis
grace, because thai ar maist abill personis, and convenient thairfor be thair
wnderstand and knawlege : Andro Menzes, Henry Irwyne, Maister John
Gordoune, Dauid Menzes, Henry CoUisoun, James Anderson, Alex.
KnoUis, William Anderson, George Guthrie, James Ruderford, Robert
Blak, Thomas Hayeter, Thomas Hay younger, Henry Hay, Duncan
Thelly, Gilbert Kyntoir elder, George Leslye, John Kilgour, John Lesly,
Richard Irwyn, Sanderis Chalraer, Dauid Chalmer, Allaster Gordoune,
Sanderis DuflF, Thomas Barbour.
The said day, the counsell and commissaris chesyt Gilbert Menzes, An-
drew CuUane, John Collisoun, Maister Andrew TuUidef, Dauid Ander-
soun, and Thomas Chalmer, to considder and dewyse quhat the personis
aboune wrytine, that passis in the kingis seruice, sail haf to thair expenssis,
ilk man according to his degre, because thair is better and war, and aucht
nocht all to be equally furnyst with expenssis, quhais expenssis sal be modi-
feit be the prouest and wtheris that he plessis to tak to him, efter that he
haue seyne and considerit the samyn personis.
\1th May, 1540.
The said day, the consell ordanis to deliuer Johnne Rutherfurd xl s. for
careyng of ane bill to the king, anens the somoning of Alex. Ruthyrfurd and
his barnyss, for the allegit slauchter of Bruce, of the fyrst accedens that
cumis in the den of gildis handis.
^\st May, 1540.
The said day, the haill counsell present for the tyme : that is to say, the
prowest, Gilbert Menzes, Andrew CuUane, Johne Collisoune, Dauid An-
dersoun, Maister Andro Tulidef, Alex. Menzes, Thomas Chalmer, Henry
Irwyne, Walter Lesly, Gilbert Malysone, Alex. Nicholsoun, Walter Hay,
Walter CuUane, Duncan Mar, Johne CoUisone younger, Johne CoUisone,
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 173
son to James ColHsone, and Gilbert Menzes younger, consentis and ordanis 3ist May
that the young men that passis in the schip to the kingis seruice be re-
wardit for thair expenssis be the sycht of the prowest and ony thre per-
sonis with him that he pleissis to tak.
Id June, 1540.
The sayd day, the provest, baizes, and consell, present for the tym,
chesit Androv Menzes, baize, collectour and factour to resaif the taxatioune
dewysit to the prepairing of the schip of veir to the kingis grace, and to de-
liuer the raarenellis thair feis, and to furnyss the vittellis of the said schip
conforme to the tylkyt of hir furnyssing maid thairupoun.
The said day, the prouest and balzeis ordanis the officiaris to pass and
poind the personis for the rest of the taxt dewysit for the furnissing of the
kingis schip of tharae that hes vnpayit the saraen, ilk officiar in his awin
quartar, and to poind the rediast of thair geir for the same.
1th June, 1540.
The said day, the consell and toune ordanis Thomas Brechine and Ro-
bert Cultis to be payit of als mekill fraucht for thair schip, conducit and
frauchtyt be thaim to pass in the kingis seruice, as the towne of Dundee
pais for thair schip, and niair according to hir byrtth, and the expenssis
and coist maid vpoun hir, and feis of the marenallis, maid and debursit be
thame, quhilk pertenit to the awnar to do and the said schip bed passit in
raerchandice, to be alio wit in the said fraucht, and to deliuer thair schip
agane, with hir pertinentis, safand awentour of see, to the saidis Thomas
and Robert, and to do in all thingis as the toune of Dundee dois, according
to the said schipis brytht.
30M Juhj, 1540.
Rex. Prowest, baizes, and merchandis of our burght of Abirdene, we
greyt yow weill : Forsamekill as we causit Androw Buk, skipper of the
Nicolace of Abirdene, and certane vderis inhabitaris of our said burgh,
to pass with ws in our seruice presently in the ilis with thair schip callit
the Martine ; quharfor it is our will, and we charge yow, that na maner of
schip, strengearis nor wderis, passand furth of our realme, in merchanderis
of our said burght, be ladyne vnto the tym the said Nicolas be first seriiyt.
z
174 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
:)oth July, and that na strengearis be ladin quhill the remanent of the schippls of the
^•^^- toune be first staykit, as ye will ansuyr to ws thairupoune, and vnder the
payne of escheting of all your movabill gudis to our wse. Subscrywit with
our hand, at Kirkwall, in Orknay, the xix day of June, and of our regne
the xxvij yeir. Sic subscribitur, James R.
I9th August, 1540.
The said day, the bailzeis, Androw Menzeis, Maister Androw Tulidef,
and conseill, Gilbert Menzeis, Androw CuUane, Alexr. Rutherfurd, Dauid
Andersone, Duncane Mar, Williame RoUand, Robert CuUane, Gilbert
Malisone, Gilbert Freser, Valtir Cullane, John CoUisone zonger, and
Valtir Hay, ordanis thair prowest to pas to the kingis grace, and labour at
his vtyr power for a discharge to the haill toun for the slauchter of Wille
Bruce ; and gif he can nocht get discharge, to get continuatioun to the
third day of the nixt justice ayr, and to expone to his grace quhow the
townis ewillaris intendis to recompense the pane layd vpoun thame, that
now [ ] his grace, bailzie on the toun, quhilk defendit your gracis
authoritie, wyth wther gud wordis and solistatioun ; and the said prowest
desynit na expensis of the toun quhill hes hame cumyng, and than to re-
cumpanse him as he seruis be the conseillis awyise.
Zd February i 1541.
The said day, the prowest, bailies, and consell, with consent, and at
the desyr, of the maisteris of kirkwark, feit and conducit thair seruitour,
Robert Wischertt, for the mending of all the holis of thair kirk vindois
yeirlie during all the dais of his lyf, and promyttit hym thairfor yeirlie thre
merkis, to be payit be the said maisteris of wark at Vitsounday and Mer-
timess be equall portionis, sua that the said vindois be nocht brokin, ex-
tending attour ane futt of glace ; and gif it beis mair nor a fut of glace in
ane place, to be payit thairfor by his fe, extending to his laubouris, the
said maisteris of vark findand hym ledderis, jrn, and lym to the mending
thairof. And als thai ordane to gyf hym iiij merkis for this yeir, becaus
thai considderit his gryt lauborrowis mad thairupoune.
\1th February^ 1541.
My lord prowest and baillies of this nobill burtght of Aberdeine, onne
to your M[ ], humely menis and complenis, I, your nychtbour Alexr.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 175
Melvyng, burges of the said burght, vpoune Agnes Forbes, servant woman I7th February,
in the same, that quhar the said Agnes wes servand to me fra Witsonday ^^^'
to Martimes last bypast, in m v*' fourtty ane yeiris, and hed the cair of my
howse and geir thairin for the tyme, vnder me and my wiffe, and had hir
raeite and fee thairfor, as wthyr servandis in the towne ; nochttheless I was
skaythit and wanttyt in hir defalt and sleutht, this yeir efter following : in
the first, the said Agnes rotht to me ane nop seke on hir defalt, quhilk scho
lay vpoune ; item, I wanttyt out of my hous in hir defult and sleutht, ane
plaid of ix elln, the price xxiiij s. ; item, ane blanket of tua eln, the price
viij s., quhilk scho hed at evyn and away in the mornyng ; item, ane kort
sleif of colour the roy, contenand ane eln, the price v s. ; item, ane galkoit
of stenyng, the price x s. ; item, twa hewing aixis, the price vj s. vij d. ;
item, ane brassin pott, the price x s. ; item, certane trinscheounis, pewter
discheis, and towellis, and wther small geir quhilk scho hed in cair, ex-
tending to XX s. ; item, thre young fowlis, the price xii d. ; item, the said
Agnes resauit fra my wife ayll to sail on Lammes evyn last bypast, ex-
tending to xxii s., to hefe payit her quhow sone it had bene sallyt, quhilk
ayle siluer the said Agnes refuisyt to deliuer to my said wife and me, and
als yit refusis, and wrangously postponis and deferris to mak na compt,
raiknyng and deliuerance of ony geir abowne wryttin, and intendis to mak
me na payment nor deliuerans thairof, without scho be compellit be justis
thairto, beseiking heirfor your M[ ] prowest and balzeis forsaid, to
decerne and compell, be justis, the said Agnes to mak me payment and
deliuerance of the geir aboune wrytin for pricis forsaid, to gifi^ the said ale
siluer to my said wife and me, as said is, be the ressonis and cawsis for-
said, together with my expenssis maid and to be maid in the persute of the
samyn, and, gyff neid beis, this my petitioune to hafe the stryntht of ane
brocht.
Heir followis the airschip gudis that I, William Igrame, askis at Jonat
Bissett, the relict of vmquhill Cristofer Igrame, my broder freman of
this burght of Abirdene, and at Robert Barbour, now hir husband,
for his entres, as I that is seruit as narrest and lauchtfull air to hym.
Item, in the first, ane gown of Scotis blak, lynit with blak gray ; item,
ane sakot, coytt and doblait, a sark, a pair of hois, a hat, a bonat ; item,
ane sword and quhyngar, ane leyth aix, ane jak, and ane steil bonat ; item,
ane standand bed, ane nop bed, ane pair of scheittis, with twa blankattis,
176 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
17th Februarj-. tua coddis, ane covering to the bed ; item, ane press, ane alraery, ane pott,
^•"^^ ane pan, ane playt, a dische, a salsar, ane chandlar of brace, ane tangis,
ane spyt, with ane lanterene, ane brew fatt, ane kymmeoun, ane geilfatt,
ane stand, and a bukatt ; item, ane standand buird, with trestis, burdclayth,
tua formis, ane cheir, ane quart, ane poynt, and ane choppin ; item, ane
shaiping knyf, ane schawing irne, ane pairof buyt treis, ane schaiping buird,
ane trinkaild, wyth the steill to scherp the schawing jrne ; item, ane kyst
lokit fast, ane scherp rak for ledder, ane blunt rank, tua settis, with feit
uecessar thairto ; item, a blek tub furnyst, ane vly barrell, with ane vly
chopin ; item, ane resp, ane turcas, and four cuchin nailis of jrne ; item,
ane traschor, ane stuffin sclyise, with ane yeirning sclyise, ane conze, ane
camroU with ane obiuse ; item, ane kestrel and hand ledder, with ane
el son ; item, ane pryse, with ane turning staf ; item, solis exemplis over
ledderis exemplis, with a wanpa for a buytt ; item, a pair of grytt lastis,
ane myddil pair of lastis, and ane less pair of lastis ; item, ane stark to
vork the ledder vpoun, with thair feytt ; item, ane clock, &c. And thir
gudis following belangis to the kirk yeird : item, ane flesching buird, with
ane fuyt and ane flesching jrne ; item, ane cleik and bramskin of ledder,
with ane bark pok ; item, ane skep, ane schod schuill, with ane lym tiib.
23c? February, 1541.
The said day, the provest, baillies, and counsell, present for the tyme,
gaif, grantytt, and consentytt, and assignitt to the craftismen vnder wry tin,
that is to say, wrychtis and masonis of the said burght frely lycence to re-
pair and byg thar altar, callit Sanct Johne the Baptistis alter, wythin the
parroche kirk of Aberdene, and to decoir the samyn in the maist honest
manor, with all manor of accidentis that may be had of the said craft in
tyme cumminge, providing always that the gift of the said altar remaine
with the tovne nochtwithstanding this gift.
1th March, 1541.
The said day, the haill consell, present for the tyme, ordanis John
Chalmer to be stoppyt of the bigging of the Vennell and passage that
gangis to Sanct Katherenis hill ; and ordanis the prowest, baillies, and
thair officiaris charge hym to desyst and ceyse fra bygging thairupoun
quhill thai be forther awysytt, nocht the les thai lycent the said Johnn to
byg alse heycht as the calsay, for saifty of his land and of his nychtbouris
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 177
land, swa the passage be nocht stoppyt ; and protestit that this lycens hurt 7th March,
nocht the townis rycht. ^^*^-
The haill consell ordanis the maisteris of the brig wark to byg ane bryg
of tre our the pot burne, on this syd of the brig of Dee, and to gett and
by al thing necessar thairfor ; and ordanis him to cause raise ane granatour
to course for all stuf, sic as lyra, stanis, tymmer, and jrn, takin away fra the
brig wark.
17 th April, 1541.
The said day, the prowest, baizes, and consell consignis and gyffis to
AUexr. Gray and Dauid Kintoir, thair lordis of Bonacord chosin this in-
stant yeir, the compositioun of ane freman and burges of gild, to help to
the decoratioun and plesour to be done be thaim to this guid towne ; and
ordanis the officiaris to povnd thairfor, gif neid be.
2d May, 1541.
The said day, the prowest and balles chargit the officiaris to pass and
poind all and sindry thir personis wnder wrytin, for the coramond men-
stralis feis and vagis, ilk persoun effering to his degre, conforme to the old
wse of this burgh, and mak payment to thame thairof within viij [dayis],
safar as thai will grant, or the saidis menstrailis ma sufficientlie preif : that
is to say, Johnn Moreson, Androw Brabner, Andro Murray, Thoni
Reid, Alexr. Wentoun, Sanderis Donaldson, Johnn ■Hercules, and his
broder, Thorn Andersone, Johnn Finne, Vill Schippert, Wm. Senzeour,
John Robertsoun, Alexr. Jafray, John Fruily.
Qth May, 1541.
The said day, the hall consell, present for the tym, assignis to Robe
Portair and Robe Nicholsoun, ilkane of thame, fourtty s., to help to by
thame clayse, to be gewin thame yeirly, sua thai continew the sang senilis
and serf in thair queir, as thai do now induring thair will.
25th May, 1541.
The said day, the four officiaris maid fayth in jugment, that, at command
of the provest and bailzeis, thai passit to all and syndrie the nychtbouris of
the toun, induellaris, the four quarteris of the same, and chargit thaim cum
178 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
26tti May, this (lay, and tak euery ane of thaim thair part of the heir quhilk wes bocht
^**^- for the commond weill of the haill toun, and mak payment thairof within
tene dayis heiieftir, that the fremrait men, fra the quhilkis the said heir wes
bocht, ma be outred, swa that the provest and balzeis, quhilkis at command
of the haill toun bocht the said beyr for thair protfeitt, be nocht sklanderit
and murmovrit be the said fremrait men, nor be nane vtheris ; certifeing
thame, and euere ane of thame, that and thai cum nocht thir day to resaif
the said beyr, that frathinfurtht thai vill gett nane of the same ; and sa
mony as cummis this day said be staikit for thair money, paying within tene
dayis heirefter ; and failzeing of thair cuming to resaif the said beyr, the
provest and bailzeis vald dispone and gif the samyn to ony persone or per-
sonis for thair money, and leif and licence thame to tak thair vantage thair-
one, swa that the fremmit men suld be outred. And alswa the bellman
maid fayth that he passit, at command of the provest and bailzeis, throw all
the rewis and stretis of the toune, chargeand samony nychtbouris as vald
heff ony of the forsaid beyr, to cum to the tolbuyth incontinent, certefying
thame as is forsaid. And thaireftir, the bailzeis aboune vrittin being sit-
tand jugement, nane of the nychtbouris compering hot ane certane [few]
thairof, quharfor thai tuik nott and act of court, that it wes nocht in thair
defalt gif the toun wer skatht in selling of the said heir, for the causis for-
said, becaus thai hed varnit the toune to cum and resaif the same, and thai
comperit nocht, and thairfor thai decretit to pas, and dispone, and gif the
the said beyr to ony raaner of persone or personis vald pay thairfor vithin
the tyme forsaid, and leif thame to tak thair vantage thairone, swa the frem-
mit men mycht be outred, as said is.
\7th June, 1541.
The said day, it wes convenit and aggreit betwix Henry Mowtray, fac-
tour and seruand to my Lord of Abirdene, on that ane part, and the prin-
^*' cipallis of the quhytfischeris of Futty : that is to say, Geilis Monro, Dauid
Monro, Johnn Collie [ ] for thaimself and the laif of thair
nychtbouris, on that oder part, as after followis : that is to say, the said
fisheris ar content, and oblegis thame and thair complices, that thair sail
cum nane of them, nor thair seruandis, to gadder thair bait in the watter
mouth of Donne, except thair be ane of the maisteris with thame, quhilk sell
se that nane of thaim cum neir the watter moutht on the south sid with-
in a pair of but lynthis, nor on the north syd within twa pair of but lynchtis,
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 179
and that outwith the flud mark ; and that, quhan they veyd the watter, thai I7th June,
sell weid all attanis at ane tyme, and mak no tary in the watter moutht ; and ^^^'
the convoyer of thaira sell se and consydder gif thair be ony fysche sworaand
thair for the tyrae, and gyf swa beis, thai sell cause thaim pass about to the
brig, and nocht to veid the watter, nor pass throw the samen, for that
tym, flud mark. This done, with bayth thair consentis, afor thir wytnes,
George [ ] of Fywe, Gilbert Menzeis, vmquhill prowest of Aberdeen,
Androw Menzes, Maister Johnn Gordoun, baizes, George Lesly, John
Menzes, and Maister Dauid Nicholsone, notar publict, with vder diuerse ;
and this to be obseruit and keipit vnder all paine and charge that efter ma
follow.
3d October, 1541.
The said day, the hail toune, present for the tyme, chesit thir presonis
vnder wrytine : that is to say, Thomas Menzes, prowest, Dauid Andersoun,
Maister Johnn Gordounn, Alex. Rutherfurd, thre of the bailies of the said
burght, Gilbert Menzes, Androw Cullane, John Collisoune, Thomas Chal-
mer, and Maister Androw Tullidef, thair commissaris in that part, to
dewyse ane certane sowrae of money for the decoryng and preparing of this
guid toune agane the quenis cuming, and to propyne hir efter thair power,
as the aid wss hes bene within the burght at the first cuming of princis, and
to consult and considder the maist eisy way qwhow the said soum of money
ma be gottin, and quhow, and be quhat maner, it selbe distribuit ; with
power to the saidis commissaris, or the maist part of thame, to sett of new,
prolong and formaill, all and syndry the landis of the community of the
said burght, and fyschingis of the watteris of Dee and Done, to the nycht-
bouris burgessis that ar actuall induellaris this guid toun, and to na vderis,
for all the days and termes of threttene yeiris immediat following thair entre
thairto, quhilk selbe on the vigill of Sanct Androw nlxt to cum, and frathin-
furth to induir during the space of xiij yeiris forsaid, provyding that the
thre yeiris that ar to ryn of the last generall assedatioun be comptit and
numerat in the first end of the said threttene yeiris ; and ordanis ane com-
missioune and ane generall assedatioun to be maid thairupoun, and seilit
with the commound seill of the said burght ; and chesit George Bisset and
Walter Cullane collectouris and resauaris of the said soum of money, and
to distribuit the samyn at the townis command, and to gif compt and rakning
thairof.
180 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
21st Nov. 2lst November, 1541.
1541. 'pjjg consell ordanis the denis of gild to pay sklaitter and wrycht for the
mending of Sanct Ninianis cheppell, vpon the Castellhill, and it to be al-
lowit in thair nixt compt.
17^^ April, 1542.
The said day, the prouest, baizes, and counsale consignis and giffs to
Alex. Gray and Dauid Kintoir, thair lordis of Bonacord chosen this in-
stant year, the corapositioun of ane freman and burges of gyld, to help to
the decoratioun and plesour to be dun by thame to this guid toune, and or-
danis the officiaris to pound thairfor gif nede be.
24th April, 1542.
The said day, the prowest, baillies, and counsell, present for the tyme,
feit and conducit thair servitour, Robert Wischart, glasinwrycht, to mend
and vphald the glasinwark of thair windois of thair parroche kirk of Abir-
dene, cleynging and dychting of the samyn, and of the presbiter and stallis
of thair queir of the said kirk, yeirlie, for all the dais and termes of the said
Roberttis liftyme ; and promittit him thairfor yeirlie the sourae of thre
raerkis vsuall money of Scotland of yeirlie pensioun, to be pait to hym be
the maisteris of the said kirkwark for the tyme, at tua termes in the yeir,
Witsonday and Martymes, be tua equall portiounis. The said maisteris
findand him ledderis, irn, and lyme, to the mending of the said wyndois.
And forther, gif the saidis windois, or ony of thame, happynnis to be brakin,
be chaunce of wynd or evill weddyer, attour ane futte of wark to giddyr in
ane place, the said Robert to be payt thairfor by his fee, equaliter to his
laubouris and stuff, as vtheris craftismen suld hawe ; and becaus the coun-
sell hes considerit his laboris mair this yeir nor ony vther yeir bigane, thai
ordane the said maisteris of wark to gif him now iiij merkis for his laubouris
bigane, he makyng gud service in tyme cuming.
The sayd day, Alex. Kayn, accusit in gugment for his wyff (becauss he
oblegit him to ansuer for her deids), for the hawy strublens and vile misper-
soning of Alex. Gray and Dauid Kintoir, lordis of Bonacord, and thair
company present with thame for the tyme, sayand common beggaris and
skafferis, thair meltyd wes hot small for all thair cuttit out hoyss, with
mony oder inurious vordis, unleful to be expremit, quhilk the sayd Alex.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 181
denyit ; and thairefter it was funden be the haill counsale, present for the 24th April,
tyme, that the sayd Alexirs wyflP hed hevily strubled and mispersonit the ^^^-•
saydis Alexr. and Dauid, and the remanent of thair company for the tyme,
in maner abown wrytin, quherfor he wes convict and put in amerciament of
court, to forbeir in tyme cumming, and amend as law will, and that wes
geivin for dome, and the amendis tharof continuit to be modifyit eftirwart
be the counsale.
5th June, 1542.
The said day, in the actioune and cans of cognitioune raovit and persewit
be Sir Johnne Cuming, chaplane of Sanct Katherinis chapel, within the
burght of Abirdene, aganes Johnne Chalmer, burgess of the said burght,
be vertew of our souerane lordis letteris, impetrait be the said Sir Johnne,
direct to the prowest and baillies of the said burght, and presentit be him
to the prowest and baillies forsaid, makand mentioune : That quhair the
said chapell was foundit and biggytt iij*= yeir syne be the constabill of Abir-
dene for the tyme, for decoratioune in honour of Sanct Katheryne, to the
quhilk thair lyis ane commoune venneyll and passage within the said burght
to our souerane lordis liegis that wald repair thairto, within the boundis
following, that is to say, the said vynell Hand betuix the land and tenement
of Johnne Chalmer on the northt part, and the land of Thomas Scherar
on the southt part ; and the said Sir Johnnis predecessouris and he, chap-
lanis of the said chepell, and siclike all our souerane lordis liegis that plesit
to repair thairto, hes bene in continuale vse and possessioune of the said
vynell, within the boundis forsadis, as ane commoune passage to the said
chapell, and reput and haldin past memour of man ; quhill now laitlie that
Johne Chalmer, burgess of the said burght, be him selfe, his servandis, and
complices, in his name, of his causing, command, assistens, and ratihabi-
tioune, wrangowslie raolestis and trowbilis the said Sir Johnne in his pos-
sessioune and vse of passage throw the said vynell, and wald byg and
stop the commoune passage quhilk he suld hafe be the samyn to the said
chapell, and will nocht desist and ceis thairfra without he be compellit,
as is allegit : chargeing the prowest and bailzeis forsaid to call baith the
saidis parteis befor tharae, and tak cognitioune in the said mater ; and gif
it war fundin that the said Sir Johnnis predecessouris and he, chaplanis of
the said chapell, hes bene in continuale vse and possessioune of the said
vynell, within the boundis forsaidis, as ane commoune passage to the said
2 A
182 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
5th June, chapell, and sa vsit be our souerane lordis liegis that plesit to repair thair-
^**^' to past meinour of man, as said is ; and that the said Johnne Chalmer now
wrangouslie molestis and trublis him in his possessioune of the said vynell,
and stopis him thairby to haue passage to the said chapell, to cause and
compell the said Johnne to desist and ceise thairfra, and keip and defend
the said Sir Johnne in his possessioune of the said vynell, as comraoune
passage to the said chapell, ay and quhill he be lauchtfuUie callit and
ordourlie put thairfra, as at mair lyncht is contenit in the saidis letteris.
Be vertu of the quhilkis lettres, the saidis parteis var warnit to this day, to
heir and se cognitioune takin in the said mater, and thai compeyring per-
sonaly in jugment, with thair procuratouris, thair rychtis, ressownis, and
alligatiounis of bayth the saidis partiis, hard, sene, considerit, and wnder-
stand, and diuerse exceptionis being be thaim proponit, and syndry faraovse
wytnes, producit be the said Sir Johnne, the said mater and actioune of
cognitioune wes put to the decisioun and knawlege of the assyse aboune
wrytin, chosin, sworne, and admittit in jugment, in presence of the saidis
pairtiis, quhilkis acceptit the matet* on thame, and furth of courtt remowit
and consultand and considerand the rychtis and defenssis of the saidis
partiis, and the depositionis of the forsaidis vytnes exeminit diligentlie
be thaim of the eldest and mayst famowse personis of the said burght,
and thai being ryplie awysit thairwith, enterit in court, and deliuerit
all in ane voce, that the said Sir Johnne Cuming and his predeces-
souris, cheplanis of Sanct Katherinis chepell forsaid, hes bene in continuall
wse and possessioun of the said vennall and passage to the said chepell,
and all our souerane lordis liegis that plesit to repair thairto, within the
boundis foUoving, that is to say, betuix the land of Johnn Chalmer on the
norcht and the land of Thomas Scherar on the soucht, and as ane com-
mound passage haldin, reputt, and vsit in all tymrais bypast, past raemour
of man ; and that the said Johnne Chalmer nov wrangovslie molestis and
trublis him in his possessioun of the said vennell, and stoppis hym thairby
to half [passage] to the said cheppell as ws wes obefor : quharfor the pro-
west and baillies forsaid aucht to cans and compell the said John Chalmer
to desist and ceis thairfra in tym cuming, and to keip and defend the said
Sir John Cuming and his successouris, cheplanis of the said cheppell, in
possessioun of the said vennell, as ane commound passage to the said
cheppell in all tymmis cuming, ay and quhill he be lauchtfuUie callit and
ordourlie put thairfra, conforme to our souerane lordis lettres forsaid in all
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 183
pointis. Quhilk deliuerans and decreit the provest and baillies forsaid ad- 5th June,
mittit, and interput thair authoritie to the samyn, and ordanis it to be ob- ^^^-•
seruit and keipit in all tyminis to cum, and put to dew executioun in al
pointis, vpoun the quhilk the said Sir John tak ait and instrument.
27M August, 1542.
The said day, the prowest and bailies chargit all the nychtbouris and
freraen of this gude towne, of thair awne granting and consent maid in
jugment, thai being convenit all for the maist part be the handbell and
officiaris, to remane continualy and raak actuall residens within this burght,
to keip and defend the sarain fra our auld innemeis ; and gif ony of thame
beis fundin xxiiij houris togidder without the samyn but speciall lycens of
the prowest gewin and grantit therto, that he sell tyn his fredorae and
liberty of this burght, and all takis and profyttis that he hes of the samin,
but ony request to be hard or admittit in the contrar.
Wth Septembevi 1542.
James, be the grace of God king of Scottis, to oure louittis Archibald
Herrot [ ] messingeris, oure schireffis in that pairt, coniunctlie
and seueraly, specialy constitut, greting : Forsamekill as certan borrowis
of our realrae ar taxt for furnissing of fitmen to pass to oure bordouris for
defens of our realme, our will is heirfor, and we charge yow straitly and
coramandis, that incontinent thir our letteris sene, ye pass and in our name
and authorite command and charge the prowest and bailies of the burght of
Abirdein to rayse, ouplyft, and inbryng thair partt of the said taxt, extend-
ing to the sowme of ane hundreyth threttene poundis, efter the forme of the
taxt roll, and deliuer the said sowme to Wm. Sym, burgesse of our burght
of Edinburght, or sic vderis as he sell deputt to resaif the samyn, within
xlviij houris nixt efter thai be chargit be yow thairto, wnder the pane of
rebellioun and putting of thame to our home ; and gyf thai falze thairin, the
saidis xlviij houris being bypast, that ye incontinent thairefter denunce
thame our rebellis, and put thame to our home, and escheytt and inbring
all thair movabill gudis to our wss, for thair contemptioun, as ye will an-
suer to ws vpoun the executioun of your office, deliuering thir our letteris,
be yow duely execut and indorsat, agane to the bairar. Gewin under our
signett at Edinburght, the xxii day of August, yeir of God, m. v'' fourtty
and twa yeris, and of our regnne the xxix yeir.
184 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
22dSept«mber, 22rf September^ 1542.
1642. Heir followis the prowisioun and ordinans dewysit be the consell present
for the tyrae, for the defens of this burght fra the Inglismen, our aid
innemeis.
In the fyrst, thai ordane to byg ane bastailze incontinent be the haill
comraonitie, and chesit Alexr. Gray, Robert CuUan, Dauid Menzes, Gilbert
Malison, Walter Lesly, and Robert Blakhall, to be maisteris of vark to the
samyn, in the best wyse thai can devyse. And als ordanis to heid the blok-
house with faill, and put ane fulse rief thairon, thykit with faill; and to se,
considder, reforme, and mend the artillery, and to mak carttis, boolis,
vagis, and all vder necessaris belangand thairto, be the sicht of Dauid An-
dersoun, baize, and Alexr. Rattre and Johne Mathason with him ; and to
send till our maister the kingis [grace] ane abill expert man, for twa barrell
of pulder, wytht the townis wryting wnder the secreit seill for payment
thairof, oder with wyth pulder or money, as it pleissis the kingis grace to
charge. Siclik thai ordane the hawin to be chenzit attour the watter, in
maist sicker maner, with irne chenzys and maistis, lokit on euere syd of
the watter, be the sycht of Dauid Andersonn forsaid ; and that thair salbe
ane nychtlie vache, to the numer of xii personis, to vache the toun, to be
sett in diuerse partis, as it sell pleyse the baize of the quarter to sett thaim,
and that euerie nychtbour of this burght vache in propir persoune, quhat
euer he be (sa he be abill), for himself, but exceptioune of personis, ilk
quarter thair tym abowtt, begynning at Futty quarter, and thairefter in or-
dour the Grene quarter, the ewin quarter, and the crukit quarter ; and that
thair be sett ane bell in the aid belhouse beyound the watter. And ordanis
ane taxt to be set be the provest and the four bailies, and ouptakin incon-
tinent, for the preparing, completting, and fulfilling of the premisses on
euere nycht, be the induellaris within this burght, efter thair substans and
faculte, and this to be done in all competent haist and expeditioun.
6M October, 1542.
The said day, the haill consell present for the tym ordanit to byg ane
commound hailis vpoun the tovnis pece rayst ground, lyand in the rattoun
raw ; and ordanis ane partt of the mailis of Ardlar to be tane oup and byg
the samyn how sone fair vedder cumis ; and ordanis the profyttis thairof to
be annexat to the bryg of Dee in all tym to cum, except ij merk to be
gewin to the cheplainis of Aid Abirdene, for the annuell of the said pece
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 185
ground ; and chesit Andrew Menzes, Wra. RoUand, Johnn Chalmer, and 6th Octobef,
Walter Hay, maisteris of vark to the byging of the said hailis. ^*'^^*
17 th October, 1542.
The said day, the haill consell present for the tyme chesit Andrew
Menzes and Alexr. Nicholsoune to be maisteris of the artillierie, and to
provyd boolis, slottis, and all vder munitionis requirit thairto, and to pro-
vyd for all vder munitionis and thingis necessar for defens of this burght
fra the Inglis men, and to tak the rediast of the townis money, quhais
handis that euer it be in, to furnis the samen, oder of the Mertimes maill,
and ony vder vay ; and ordanis Androw Luk to be gyder of the said ar-
tillierie, be thair awyse, and promyst to reward him thairfor.
22c? October, 1542.
The sayd day, the haill towne, all in ane voce, consentit and ordanit,
that gyf the hundreyth personis chosin be the prowest to pass to the bor-
douris passis nocht ouer the watter of Fortht, bot hapnis to returne hame
agane haistely on past to the tryst to Gladismoir, or quhar the kingis grace
pleisis, that thai sell refound agane samekill money as restis our the ex-
penssis maid be thaim at thair hame cuming ; and gyf thai pass our the
said watter, to dispon on the money they gett to thair awin wss as thai
pleise.
lOth November, 1542.
The said day, the consell ordanit Androw Menzes and Alexr. Nichol-
soun, maisteris of the artiUiery, to deliuer and pay to Androw Luk thre
pound X s. Scottis, for vij stane of takkillis, gewin be hym for bynding of
the gunnis, and v s. for ane stane of pyk, of the first and rediast money that
may be gottin of the townis.
I'Sth November, 1542.
The said day, the prowest and haill consell, present for the tym, ordanis
that the haill townis maillis and profyttis, baith of watteris and landis, ex-
cept the kingis few, be takin oup, to the furnissing and preparing of the ar-
tillery in all thingis necessar, be the maisteris of the said artillzery ; and
that thai tak the irne chenzeis of the towne, and chenze the hawin with
mastis bandit and bound with jrne, as wes devysit obefor for defens of the
186 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th Nov., towne, wyth all vder munitionis and strynthis, be maid for defens of the
1542. toun, be sycht of the said maisteris of vark, with the money forsaid, and
that thair singaris tak partt and partt of thair feis quhill the towne ma
guidly pay thaim.
17 tk November, 1542.
The baizes forsayd and the haill towne, beyng convenit with the hand-
bell in the tolbucht of Abirdene, chesit William RoUand, Walter CuUan,
Gilbert Freser, Alexr. Kyntoir, and Alexr. Forbes, taxtaris, to sett and
extent the nychtbouris of this burght efter thair substance, to the sowme
of xxxvii lib. xiij s. iiij d., to be send to the coUectouris of the kingis taxtt,
for the furnissing of the expenssis of certane vageouris on the bordour,
conforme to our souerane lordis letteris direct thairupoun.
27th November, 1542.
The sayd day, the haill consell, present for the tyme, all in ane voce, or-
danit that the maister of thair grammar scuyll sell haf iiij s. Scottis, of the
sobirest persoun that resauis him and the bischop at Sanct Nicolace day
till his vage, at the leyst, and euere vder honest men to gif him at thair pla-
sour ; and gif ony honest man of ony reputatioune, oder craftisman or
vder, haldis furth the bischop and giffis hym nocht entres, he sell pay iiij s.
to the maister, and viij s. to the baillies onforgewin for thair wnlaw, and
ordanis the officiaris to pound and distrenze for the samin ; and that be-
cause it ves considerit be thaim that he hes na vder fee to leif on, lyk as
his predecessouris bed afor him, and vder maisteris of vder scuiles.
9th January^ 1543.
My lord prouest and balzeis of this nobill burghe of Abirdene, on to
your M[ ], humilie menis and complenis your M[ ] seruitour and
nychtbour, Johnn Brabaner, burgis of the said burgh, on Alex. Freser,
litster, an burgis of the said burghe : That quhar Alex. Freser, the forsaid
Alexanderis brother sone, resauit fra me in Abirdour thrie scoir and iiij
lambis, the price of the pece, ij s., the soume of the haill, vj lib. viij s. ;
with the quhilkis lambis the said Alexander intromittit and disponit the
samin to his vtilite and proffeit, and causit to put thame in Carnbrogy
to keip thair to his vse ; item, deliuerit to ane of the said Alexanderis
seruandis, at his command, four doussoun of alme, the price of the dossoun,
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 187
xiij s. ; item, thairefter deliuerit to ane of the forsaid Alexanders seruandis 9th January.
xxix lib. of alrae, the price of the lib. xiiij d. ; item, the said Alexander re- ^^^■
sauit furth of my loft in this toun xv stane of vald, the price of the stane,
vj s. viij d. ; item, the said Alexander bocht and resauit fra me ane half
pak of vad, the price, v lib. ; item, my vif, at my command, deliuerit to the
forsaid Alexander vj dossoun of madder, the price of the dossoun, xij s. ;
item, deliuerit to the said Alexander, at his awin leid, ane hundreth Flemis
lib. of aim, contening vij doussoun viij lib. Scottis, the price of the Scottis
doussoun, xiiij s. ; item, ane servand of the said Alexanderis, at his com-
mand, resauit fra me, furth of Monkegy, xx lambis, price of the pece, ij s. ;
item, I and Johnn Freser, laxfyschar, my seruand for the tyme, deliuerit to
the said Alexander vj barrallis of salmond, full reid and sueit, of the rychtus
kynd of this toun, price of the barrall, iij lib. x s. vsuall mony of Scotland ;
with the quhilkis guidis and geir, of the price aboue vrettin, the said Alex-
ander Freser, litster, as said is, intromittit and wranguslie withhaldis the
samin fra me as yit, and postponis and refusis to pay to me the prece of the
samyn, as is aboun exprimit, wranguslie, and agains the law, without he be
compellit be your M[ ] thairto ; besiking heirfoir your M[ ] to cause
and corapell the said Alexander, litster, to refund, content, and pay to me,
the forsaid Johnn Brabner, the sourais aboun vrettin ; protesting that quhow-
mekill I ma preif, to vptene the samyn, and to discend or ascend tueching
the sommiss ; and this my petition to haif the stryncht of ane brocht, and to
eik, ampill, change, or correct the samyn als oft as neid beis, and is lesum
of the law ; and your M[ ] ansuer heirupoune humilie I beseik, for the
luf of God and zeill of justice, togidder vyth my expenssis of court maid,
and to be maid, in the persut of the premissis.
8th February/, 1543.
The said day, the court wardis and schawis for law, and it ves gewin for
dom, that Maister Dauid Nicholsone sell restoir and delyuer to James
Litster ane gryt litting leid, price twenty poundis, ane litill litting leid,
price sax poundis, ane raasar of siluer, ane spwne of syluer, ane bassing,
ane lawar, ane sasar, a saltsar, a cod, and ane gryt pott, giff the said James
prewis ther wes ane gretar pott nor he hes gottin, as guidis of airschip per-
tening to hym be deceis of Allan Litster his fader ; with the quhilkis guidis
the said Maister Dauid intromittit with efter the deceis of his fader, and or-
danis the officiaris to pound James Fentoun thairof, as cautioner to the said
188 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
8th February, Maister Dauid, of all vder gudis of airschip that the said James ma clame
^^^ at hym be any way, at that wess gewin for dom. And the said Maister
Dauid allegit him hurtt be the baillies throw the gewin of this decreyt abown
writtin, quhairfore he appelit thirfra to the lordis of consell.
24th March, 1543.
Marie, be the grace of God quene of Scottis, to oure louittis James
Collison, [ ] oure shirreffis in that part coniunctlie and seueralie,
specialie constitute, greting : Forsamekill as it is humely menit and schewin
to ws be our louit Robert Nicholsoun, sone naturale of vmquhill Maister
Dauid Nicholsoun, that quhair laitlie befoir the deces of his said fader, he
wes reibillit and legitimat to that effect, that he mycht be air, and succeid
to the said Maister Dauid, in all his landis, rentis, heretageis, and airschip
gudis pertening to him within oure realme, as the lettres of legitimatioun
maid to the said Robert tharwpoun mair fullelie proportis. Neueryeles
his said fader now being decessit, the prowest and baillies of our burgh of
Abirdene, within quhais boundis his landis and heretage lyis, postponis
and differris to enter the said Robert his air tbairto, as wse is of our said
burgh, and to deliuer to him the airschip gudis pertening to him throw his
deceis, without thay be compellit, as is allegit. Our will is heirfoir, and
we charge yow straitlie and commandis, that incontinent thir oure letteris
sene, ye pas, and in oure name and auctorite command and charge the
saidis baillies, gif the said fader forsaid be decessit, and gif the said Robert
be legitimat, and maid habill to succeed as air to him, that thai serve him
as air to his said fader, and ken and enter him to all his landis, rentis, he-
retagiis, and possessionis, within thair boundis, as vse is of our said burgh,
and deliuer to the said Robert all airschip gudis pertening to him throw
his said faderis deces. And we, with avise and consent of the lordis of
oure consale, will and grantis that the serving of the said Robert as air
to his said fader, and entering of him to his landis and heretage, and de-
liuering to him of his said faderis airschip gudis, salbe imput na fait to the
saidis prowest and baillies, and inquest, and that thay sail nocht be callit
nor accusit thairfore, nor incur ony skaitht or danger thairthrow, in thair
personis, landis, or gudis, in ony vyse in tyme cuming, efter the forme
of the said Robertis legitimatioun forsaid, and according to justice, as ye
will ansuer to ws thairwpoun. The quhilk to do we commit to yow con-
iunctlie and seueralie our full power, be thir oure lettres, deliuering thame
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 189
be yow deulie execut and indorsat agane to the berar, viidir our signet, 24th March,
at Edinburgh, the xii day of Marche, and of our regnne the secund yeir. ^■^^^•
I3th May, 1543.
The said day, the prowest, baizes, and consell, conuenit for the maist
pairt within the cheptour of thair parrise kirk of Aberden, all in ane voce
grantit and consentit that our lord the gouernouris request, to gif to the
religiouse men frer Johnne Roger, and to frer Waltir Thomsoun, his
marrow, to their honest sustentacioun, daylie, induring thair will, thre s.,
with ane honest chalraer, and ordanis the rediest of thair mailis to be
taking oup of thair wattir of Downe and croftis, and thair expensis to fur-
nest them with, and that for thair leill and trew lawtaful seruice to be
done in preching and teching of the trew Vord of God, and thair daylie
prearis for the estait of the lord gouernouris grace, the commont weill of
this realme, and of this guid towne ; and ordanis, siclik, that Alexander
Rutherfurd, baize, be ansueriit of the said mailis correspondand to the
diattis that thai haue bene wyth him of the price forsaid, that is to say,
ilk day thre s.
Wth June, 1543.
The said dayj the haill consell, present for the tyme, considering our
Maister, James Erll of Errane, Lord Hamiltoun, and protectour and
governour of this realm, and tutour to our souerane lady the quenis grace,
is to cum heir within schort tym to the burght, quhairthro na prouisioun
for making of triumphe at his first entre can be bed nor provydit, and
thairfor thocht it expedient, all in ane voce, to propyne his lordschip with
ane twne of wyne, ane last of beir, thre stane of vax, iij dossand of cunifey-
this ; and this money thai ordane to be gottin and ouptakin as efter followis :
in the first, fra Androw Menzes, in partt of payment of the sovm of money
that he suld pay the tonne for the landis of Cunyngstounis seytt, ane twn
of wyne, for fourtty four pundis ; fra Dauid Wschart, for his composicioune
of fremanship, four pound ; and fra Andro Lesk, for his composicioun,
xl s. ; and the rest to be takin oup of the rediast of the townis commond
guid, to furniss the remanand of the said propyne.
The said day, the haill consell, present for the tyme, gaif and grantytt
to thair lowyt seruitour, Maister Edward Menzes, thair cheplanre, and
2 B
190 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
11th Juue. altar of the haly ruid in the or^ane loft, now vacand in thair handis, be the
deces of wmquhill Schir John Fyf, last possessour thairof, for his guid,
thankfiill, and devyn seruice to be done at the said altar, for the fundatouris
sauU, conforme to the foundation ; and ordanis Andrew Menzes, bailze,
pas and gyf hym institution thairof.
22</ June, 1543.
The sayd day, Wm. Mathesoune, fyscher, wes convict be ane sworne
assise, for the strublens of John Valcar, and cutting of his lynis, and
strublens of all his bottis schipping, and the sayd Johnn Valcar maid quytt
of all strublens of the said Wm. Mathesoune ; quharfor the said Mathe-
soun was put in amerciament of court, to forbear in tym cuming, and wes
chargit be the bailies to amend the skayth don be hym in cutting of the
said lynis, and to compeir on Monunday nixt cummis, to se the amendis
modifiit for the said strublens.
20th August, 1543.
Responsio cedule misse a Domino ab Huntlie.
My lord, we recommend our hartlie and humil seruice vnto your lord-
schip. Pleis wyt, we haf resauit your writing fra your lordschipis seruand,
Maister Johnne Gordoune, our bailze, desyrand ws to furnis your 1[ ]
ane honest cumpany of able zong men, to pass southtwarht with your lord-
schip, for actionis concerning the commoun weil and liberalitie of this
realme, and weill of our maistres the quenis grace in hir les aige. My lord,
we beseik your 1[ ]» as our maist speciall protectour and defendar
wnder the crown, lyk as all your maist noble progenitouris hes bene in all
tymmis bygane, in quhom we put our hoip and ferme beleif to be mentenit
and defendit, and to quhom we will obey and serf at our wtter power at this
tym, your 1[ ] pleise consider our inhabilitie, for diuerse caussis, fyrst,
the gryt skaith that we haf gottin be se, in tynsel of our men, geir, and
schippis, and of this lang weir that we haf hed na chenge in merchandis,
quhilk is our lewing, and the grit dartht and skantnes in the contray, that we
ma nochtguidlie furnis ony cumpany plesant to your lordschip nor accord-
ing to our honestie ; and mair attour, my lord, thair is ane charge cumin to
ws fra the governour, afoir your 1[ ] charge, quhilk we may nocht
fulfill for the caussis aboun exprimit ; quherfor we beleif your lordschip
wilbe so graciuss to pardon ws to remane at hame at this tym, and quhen
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 191
your lordschip hes acht ado, ve vill serf your lordschip at our vtter power, 20th August,
be Goddis grace, quha mot preservf your lyrdschip in saull and body, at ^^^'
your noble harttis desyir. Of Abirdein, this xviij day of Agust, m"
v«= xliij. Be your lordschipis humil seruitouris at power, provest, baillies,
and consell of Abirdene.
30^^ August, 1543.
The sayd day, the hail towne being warnit be thair officiaris and the
hand bell, and convenit, for the maist partt, within the tolbuitht, repre-
sentand the haill body of the toune, it wes exponit to thaim be Thomas
Menzes of Petfodellis, comptroUar to the quenis grace, thair prowest, how
he is send heir be our maister, the governour, to inquyr the nychtbouris
of this burght, gif thai vald fortify and menteyne his authorite aganis cer-
tane conspiratouris, and to wyt thair myndis in that behalf, sua that he
may defend thame and thair liberteis and fredomis in tyme cuming ; and
thai being opinlie requirit heirto, gran tit, all in ane voce, nane allegiand
nor sayand in the contrar, to serf him at thair wtter power at all tym, and
to defend and mentaine his authorite sa far as is in thaim ; on the quhilk the
said comptroUar tuk act and instrument.
The said day, the hail toune, being convenit as said is, ordanit, dewisit,
and thocht it expedient and necessar to haf ane nychtlie vache in this toun,
becaus of the brokining of this realme, as is daly sene, and that the portis
be mendytt and lokit, and reforrait as mister is, with boumis, catbundis,
and chenzes, as thai bed vont to be, and this to be guid wyth in all guidlie
haist.
19M October, 1543.
Alsua, becaus the toune is hauely raurmurit be the landmen, that the
vittell byaris of the merkat, scattis thame grytlie in taking of sampillis,
scheytschakkingis, and sic oder ewill vsit custum, and be the belman in
taking ondiscrytlie for this dwety, sua that na vittell cumis to the merkatt ;
it is thocht expedient be the consell that thair tollar, Wm. RoUand, cause
mak ane mesour, to mett and resaif the malt, of alse gryt quantitie as the
haipit firlott extendis to, and ane pek corresponding thairto, be straikit
with ane just straik, as the meill is ; and that na sampill nor scheytschakin
be gewin nor takin thairof, wnder paine of escheting of the haill vittell ; and
192 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
19th October, that thair be ane mesour of competent quantite raaid of jrn to the belman,
1543. ^j^Ij ^jjg quhilk he sell resaif his dwetyce of the bell, and na mair, and this
thai ordane to be maid incontinent, and obserwytt in all tym to cum.
The sayd day, the consell ordanis to byg and mend all the porttis of this
towne, and ane new port of stane to be maid in the Nedderkirkgett, qohar
the aid port wes, and to be lokit nychtlie fra x houris furtht, and to be
wachit and keypit be the four quarteris of this burght, and baize therof,
ilkane thair tyme about ; and that euerie nychtbour keyp his awin bak yett,
and ansuer thairfor, that nane gett entres thairat, wnder the pane of tynsell of
thair fredome. And ordanit Alexr. Ruthirfurd, den of gild, to be maister
of vark thairto, and to begin and end the samin with diligens and all com-
petent haist, for certane caussis mowing thame, of the quhilk thai ar laitlie
aduertisit.
9th November, 1543.
The said day, the consell ordanis the pynouris to help to dycht and
clenge al the calsais of this guid toune, euery pynour his day aboutt.
I9th January, 1544.
The said day, the haill tovnn being vamit to this day, be thair hand bell
passand throcht all the rewis and stretis ot this guid townn, on the quhilk
the berar thairof maid fayth in iugment, to gif ansuer to the quenis grace
letteris vnder writin, and comperand for the maist pairt, representand the
haill body of the toun, comperit Carrik pursephant, and presentit thir
letteris vnderwritin to the said bailzes, requyrand thame, in the quenis
name, to put the same to dew execution, and cans the sowmes of money
contenit thairintill to be pait, vnder the panis contenit in the same.
Quhilkis letteris beyng red opinlie in iugment, in presens of the said townn,
Dauid Andersoun, bailze, requirit the said townn, convenit as said is, to
cheise thair taxtaris to stent and taxt the sowmes contenit in the saidis
letteris on the nychtbouris and inhabitantis of the said burgh, protestand
solemplie, in name of the saidis bailzies, becaus thai postponit to do the
same, that quhat skaythis and dampnage hapnis to cum on the prouest and
bailzeis for non paiment of the sovmes contenit in the letteris vnder writtin,
the tane of the dait the tent day of Januar, and the tother of the dait the
xxix day of December, and of our souerane ladyis regne the thrid yeir, suld
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 193
cum on the said townn and nocht on thaim, becaus tha ofFerit thame redy I9th January,
to do to the said letteris the aucht of ressoun, and the said toun postponit ^^^'
to fulfill the same.
My lord prowest and bailzeis of this noble burgh of Abirdene, vnto your
worschipis, huraelie menis, shavis, and complanis, I, Catherin Melwin,
dochtir to vmquhill Alexander Melwin, burges of the said burgh, and
Andro Barre, my spouse, for his interes, one Thomas Ross and Issabell
Melwin, his spouse, duelland at the Myll of Balnacrag, now apprehendit
within your iurisdictioun and vnder your ward, in ane townn of iustice, and
be the preuelge of the same, aucht to ansuer afor your w[ ] at our in-
stance. That quhar the said Thomas and Isabell intrometit with xvj
yowiss, price of the pece, vj s., viij d. ; xiij hogis, price of the pece, v s., in
the yeir of God j"" ¥•= xxxv yeiris ; item, tua young oxin, price of the pece
fifty s. ; item, ane kow, price xl s., in the yeir of God j"" v<= xxxvi yeris, or
thairby ; and therefter, in the yeir of God j" v'= xxxviij yeris, intrometit
with ane young ox of tua yer auld, price xl s., and ane cow, price xl s. ;
and thairefter, in the yeir of God j™ v« xxxix yeris, intrometit with ane
yovng ox, price xl s. ; and in the yeir of God j™ v« xl yeris, intrometit
with ane young kow of tua yeir auld, price xxvi s. viij d. ; and thairefter,
in the yeris of God, xxxvj, xxxvij, xxxviij xxxix, and xl yeris, respec-
tiue, intrometit with tua young oxin of thrie yeir auld, price pece xx s.,
tua young oxin of tua yeir auld, price pece, xxvi s. viij d., deliuerit to
thame be vmquhill the said Alexander, my fader, and his seruandis, in his
name, to be keipit to ray vtilite and proffeit, pertening to me be ressoun of
gift maid to me thairupoun be the said Alexander, &c.
26th Janiiaru^ 1544.
The sayd day, the hayll tovnn beyng varnit to this day be thair hand bell
passand throcht all the rewis and stretis of this said toun be the berar
therof, on the quhilk he maid fayth in iugment, and in speciale be the
officiaris of the said burghe, on the quhilks inlikwyise thai maid fayth in
iugment, and comperand for the maist part, representand the haill body of
the townn, thar was presentit to tham the quenis grace lettres afor writtin :
ane one the sowme of four hundreth lib. xiiij lib. vj s. viij d. of taxt, for
furnesing of ane thowsand horse to remain with the locumtenant on the
bordouris, for resisting of our auld ennimeis of Ingland, during the space
194 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
-'tith January, of thre monethis ; and als thair was presentit in iugment twa writingis of
!•>** the Erie of Huntlie, locumtenent generale of the north of Scotland, he his
seruandis, vpoun the said toun, for the furnesing of ane hundreth men out
of the said townn in feir of weir, with all necessaris as eflPerit, with tuenty
dais vitelling, to pas with the said locumtenent for resisting of Donald
nis, quhilk, with his complicis, is cumand, as is allegit, vpoun the quenis
landis of Ross for inuasion thairof and conquesing of the same, and to meit
the said locumtenent the last day of Januar instant, at Elgen, in thair maist
honest maner, togidder with ane precept of the said locumtenentis direct
vpon the haill fensahill men within the boundis of his locumtenendry, ass weill
of spirituale mennis landis and wtheris, to the effect forsaid ; quhilkis letteris,
writingis, and precept being opinlie red in iugment, in presens of the said
tounn, and publeist to thame at lynth, lik as in the same mair fuUilie is
contenit, the said townn, efter lang auisament heirwpoun, considderit and
thocht that thay mycht not satisfy and fulfill bayth the saidis chargis, becaus
the townn is decavit and puir ; thairfor thay concludit and thocht it neces-
sar to writ to the gouernour, and schaw his grace thair locumtenentis
chargis cumyng one thame for the causis forsaid, with the copyis of the
said chargis, that his grace, of his guidnes, may consider that the said puir
towne ma nocht obtempir to the said quenis grace taxatioun forsaid, and
that, for the causis aboun writin, thai wald furness iij", or fifty men at the
lest, to pas to the said locumtenent, to the effect aboun writtin ; and therfor,
all in ane voce, chesit Dauid Andersoun, William Holland elder, Gilbert
Malisoun, Sanderis Forbes, and Gilbert Brabaner, taxtaris, to taxt and
stent the inhabitaris of the said burgh to the furnesing of the said personis ;
and forder, the haill townn conuenit, as said is, all in ane voce, na maner
of persone opponand in the contrar, consentit, war content, and ordinife,
that all the fre mone the towne hes afordale, bayth of thair commound
gudis, malis of Ardlar, denys of gild siluer, and all wther maner of fre
raone thai haue afor hand, be tane oup incontinent to the furnesing of the
said personis ; and gif the said mone will nocht furneiss the forsaidis for ane
moneth, or, at the lest, for the space aboun writin, the said taxtaris to taxt
and stent the remanent necessar for thair furnesing, be the avise of the
prouest, vpoun the nichtbouris df the said towne and inhabitantis thairof,
efter thair sawlis and conscience, but feid or fauour ; to the quhilkis, thai
and ilk ane of thame is some the gryt ayth in iugment, and hes accepit the
said mater one thame, in presens of the said tounn, abefor thir vitnis, Wil-
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN 195
liame Lesly of Balquhane, John Lesly of the Syid, Maisteris Thomas 26thJanuarv
Annand, Johnn Hay, and John Kennedy, notaris publik. 1-544.
1st Feburary^ 1544.
The said day, the prouest, Thomas Menzies, and Maister Johne Gor-
doune become souerteis to the towne of Abirdene for deliuerance agane to
the said towne of thair artailzarie efter following : that is to say, ane fal-
cown, kills pece, hollis pece, and thre serpentinis, with tene chalmeris, five
wagis, and tene jrne nalis, cartit and quhelit, with half ane barrell of
powder, quhilk was lent for the tyme to the locumtenant of the north, the
Erie of Huntlie, and put in Sanderis Ratrais schip that passit to Inuernes,
for the tyme, to serue the said locumtenent for resisting of the His men, as
was allegit, or thane the avale of the same, within xl dais nixt heirefter.
The said day, Maister Johnn Gordoun and Andro Menzies become
souerteis to Alexr. Ratraye for ane noble and mychty lord, George Erie
of Huntlie, locumtenent of the north, to pay the said Alexander thretty
pundis of the rest of the hundreth lib. promittit him for the fraucht of his
schip to the north partis of Scotland ; and the said Alexr. grantit him pait
of thre scoir and tene lib. of the said hundreth pundis, for the causis for-
said ; and the said thretty pundis to be pait conforme to the contract maid
the tyme of the frauching of the said schip.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale, present for the tyme,
alovit to Johnn Chalmer thretty s. Scottis raone for the pair of cart quhelis,
shod with jrne, bocht fray [him] be Gilbert Malisoun and William Rolland,
in the townis name, in compleit paiment of the said Johnis intromissioun
with the mails of the landis of Ardlar, becaus he had maid compleit paiment
of the remanent thairof abefor, and decernit him ane acquittance of the said
mails, vnder thair seill of cause, and ordanit the keipar thairof to seill the
same.
5th February, 1544.
The said day, Alexr. Ratray protestit that quhat hapin woid of the ar-
tailzerie and pouder put in his schip be the towne to serue the Erie of
Huntlie, locumtenent of the north, that he be nocht indettit to ansuyr ther-
196 EXTKACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
5th February, for, becaus he resauit the same hot in the erlis name ; on the quhilk he tuik
^***- instrument afor thir vitnes, the tua bailzeis forsaid, Gilbert Tulidef, Gil-
bert Malisoun, and John Crawfurd.
20^^ February, 1544.
The said day, the haill tovnn, baith freraen and vnfremen, being varnit
be the hand bell passand throcht all the rewis and stretis of this guid town,
on the quhilk the berar maid faith in iugment, and conuenit for the raaist
pairt, representand the haill body of the townn, the prouest causit reid
opinlie the quenis grace letteris vpoun iiij'^ xiiij lib. vj s. viij d. Scottis
nione of taxt of this burgh for furnesing of horsemen at the bordouris,
quhilkis war presentit lang afor to the said town be Carrik pursephant,
togidder with ane vther letter of the said quenis graces, be deliuerance of
the lordis, chargeand the inhabitantis, nychtbouris, and induellaris the said
burgh to pay respectiue thair pairt of the said taxt, conforme to the stent-
ing and rolling thairof, within thre dais nixt efter tha be chargit, vnder the
pain of rebellion, and putting of thame to our souerane ladyis home ; and,
gif thai failzeit thairin, the said thre dais being bypast, to denunce thame
our souerane ladyis rebellis, and put tham to hir home, and escheit and
inbring all thair mowabill gudis to hir vse, for thair contemptioun, lik as
in the said letteris at mair lynth is contenit. Quhilk letteris beyng red in
presens of the said townn, the prouest requirit the said townn, conuenit
as said is, to name and cheise taxtaris to taxt and stent the said sowme on
the nychtbouris and inhabitaris of the said burgh, as tha wald ansuer to
the quenis grace and gouernour thairwpoune ; and thairefter tha nemmit
thir persons following, viz. : Valter Cullane, Gilbert Tulidef, Walter Hay,
George Bissat, and x\ndro Losone, and becaus tha war nocht present
to accept the said mater one thame, the prouest and bailzeis ordanit thair
officiaris to varne thame to Mononday nixt cumis to accept the said mater
one thame, and be some thairto, as vse is, as tha wald answer to the
quenis grace and gouernour thairwpoun. And thaireftir, the vj day of
Marche, and yeir forsaid, the haill consell, present for the tyme, elect
and chesit Alexr. Rudirfurd and Gilbert Malysoun taxtaris to the v per-
sonis forsaid, and ordinit the haill vjj personis forsaid to be varnit to the
vij day of Marche nixt cumis, to accept the said mater on thame, and be
some thairto.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 197
1*^ Aprils 1544. 1st April,
The sayd day, the consell, present for the tyrae, conducit Andrew ^^^•
Mowat, gunnar, to serf the toune towart the defens of the same fra our
aid innemeis of Ingland, in clengin and repairing of the artilzery, and vsing
the samin in tymmis requirit for defens of this burgh, for the space of twa
monetht immediat following the 15 day of Marche last by past, for four
pound Scottis ilk moneth induring the said space, and forthir, ,sa lang as
the toune pleissis to hald him in seruice of the samen price : to the quhilk
he oblegit him faythfully, and to serf na vder within the realme nor with-
out, salang as the toune pleissis to hald him for the sowme forsaid.
ZQth April, 1544.
Heir foUowis the ordinans of the consell, convenit for the maist pairt in
the consell hous the penult day of Aprill, in the yeir of God m
v" xliiij yeiris, for the defens of this toune fra the Inglismen, quhilkis
ar purposit to aryw in this hawin, as thai vnderstand be suir aduer-
teisment.
Item, the consell ordanit to lok and chenze the hawin raowcht wytht
maystis and rakkillis of irne, in the maist suwir maner, be the ingyne of
craftismen, and men of experiens that hes vesijt vder partis. Secundly,
to prepar the artilzery, and to get all necessaris requirit to thaim, and,
specialy, certane chalmeris, stokkis, waggis, po wider, carttis, quheilis, and
bowlattis, with all vder thingis concerning thair reparatioun. Thirdly, to
byg ane stark bastalze, with rauchteris or dailis, and sic vder tymmir, and
sand cassin to the bak of the tymmir, for eschewing of shoit of gwn, with
passagis to ische furth betuix ilk xxx'y fut, be the sycht and devyse of
craftismen, and to batall the heyd of the blokhouse abown with ane dyk of
xii fut thyk.
And, for the furnyssing and compleytting of the preraissis, and getting
of money thairto, the consell thinkis expedient that thair be tuelf scoir
merkis takin of the mailis of Ardlar, becaus thair is na money aforhand
pertening to the towne, noder of commound guid nor accedent, and thai
can find na vder way at this tym for getting of money to furnyss the pre-
raissis. And becaus the said money pertenis to the ouphald of the bryg
of Dee, and the toune may nocht dispone the saraen, nor na pairt thairof,
2 c
198 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
30th April, by the wse and vark of the said bryg, thay think it expedient to gyf and
^^**- appropriat the mailis of ane half nettis fysching of Done, extending yeirly
to tuelf merk of maile, to the ouphald of the sayd bryg, and to be ouptakin,
and keipit, and disponit be the coUectouris of the maylis of Ardlar forsaid,
to the profyt of the said bryg, and to be annexat to the forsaid bryg,
and ouphald thairof with the said mailis of Ardlar ay and quhill the said
sowme of tuelf scoir merkis be refoundit to the raaister of the bryg for the
tym, and coUectouris of the profyttis thairof; and ordanis chartour instru-
ment, precept of sesing, and reuersione, to be maid in the sickerest sort
heirvpoune, and ordanit William Rolland and Gilbert Malysoun, maisteris
of the artilzery and varkis forsaid, to resaif the said sowme of money, and
deburss the samen to the effect abowne exprimyt, and the vast and ex-
crescens thairof to be [ ], and salbe sufficient discharge to the
said William and Gilbert, sa far as thai deburse ; and quhat less beis tane
to the furnyssing of the said wark, the reuersioun to be maid on less and
mair, gif it requyris.
3 1 St April, 1544.
The sayd day, the haill toune being warnyt be the hand bell passand
throw all the rewis of the. toune, and convenit, for the maist pairt, within
the tolbuyth, consentit, all in ane voce, to the ordinans of consell anens the
munitionis to be maid for defens of this guid toune fra the Inglismen, and
to the getting of the money for furnessing and compleyting thairof in all
thingis, as is content in the act abowne wrytin, quhilk act and ordinans
thai ratifiit, apprewytt, and affermytt in jugment.
2d May, 1544.
The sayd day, the baillies and consall, present for the tyme, comraandit
and ordanyt Mage Durtty, quhilk ves convict twise obefor, for the strublens
and mispersonyng of Jonet Lesly, to cum on Sonday nixt to cum, with ane
candill of vax of ij lib. in hir hand birnand, and syt down on hir knees and
ask the said Jonat forgifnis, and request the gudmen of the toune to cause
the said Jonat forgife hir ; and gyf euer scho comrayttis sic faltis agane,
thai ordan hir crag to be put in the gof, and to pay baith the sowmis of
money contenit in the actis- maid abefoir, viz., xv merkis, to be apply it to
Sanct Nicolass vark.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 199
lltk May, 1544. nth May,
The sayd day, the hail consell and ane pairt of the tovne, being convenit ^^**"
within the chepdour of Sanct Nicolass kirk, ordanit Thomas Menzeis, thair
provest, to ryd to Dundy to the lordis, for consultatioun to be maid for the
commound weill, and adressing of thair wther purpos, to be maid for the
Inglismen that ar now presentlie within the realm, and ordanit to gif hym
XX poundis for his expenssis of the money of Ardlar, now asignyt for ad-
dressing of the townis bissines.
Item, the consell ordanis thair chartour keyst, with the euidentis contenit
thairin, to be put in suir fermans for keping in secreit manir, be the awyse
of Dauid Andersoune, George Bissett, and Walter Cullan, and thai to
schaw the provest thairof in secreit, and ordanit thame to mak ane inuen-
tour of the haill euidentis contenit in the said kyst.
Item, the consell ordanis the maisteris of artilzery to pas with the mayster
of kirkwark, and serss quhar ony irn may be gottin pertening the kyrk, or
quhar euer it ma be gottin within this burght, and tak the samen for com-
pleytting of the townis ordinans of defens, and that thai vey and vryt the
quantite thairof, sua it be pait and recompensit efterwards ; and Alexr.
Ruthirfurd allegit he bed four gryt cbandlaris of irn pertening to him, now
lyand in the luge, quhilkis he gaif to the said wark.
Item, the consell conducit Alexr. Rattray as ane gunnar, and ordanit to
gif him alse mekill in the moneth as the toder gunnar gettis, viz., ilk moneth
iiij lib. .Scottis, and ordanis the maisteris of the artilzery to ansuer thame
of thair feis.
13M May, 1544.
The said day, the haill tovnn beyng as is afor writin, comperit in iug-
ment Robert Ratray yovngar, and thair puirlie and simpillie resignit and
our gaif in the prouestis handis, in name of the haill tovnn, the haly dais
fische of Dee, and syise boll, with the pertinence vse and wont, quhilk he
had afor in tak of the said tovne, and all rycht, and titile of rycht, he had,
or mycht haue, thairto, in fauoris of Alexander Ruderfurd, barges of the
said burgh, hes ares and assignais ; and thairefter, the haill tovnn beyng
conuenit, as said is, and circularie inquirit be Andro Menzeis, baiize, ad-
200 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th May, mittit and ressauit the said Alexander Ruderfurd thair tennent and takis-
^***" man to the said haly dais fische and syise boll, vse and wont ; and ordanit
ane assedatioun to be maid to him, his ares and assignais, malis, burgessis,
and actuale iuduellaris the said burgh thairupoun, for all the dais and termes
of tene yeris nixt, and immediatlie following his enteres thairwith, quhilk
enteres salbe at the day and dait heirof ; the said Alexander, his ares or
assignais forsaid, payand thairfor yeirlie to the tovnis maister of kirkwark
for the tyme thre barrellis of salmond, full reid and sueit, sufl&cient mer-
chand guid of the richtus bind of Abirdene yeirlie, at the letter Mary day,
or ellis nyne lib. Scottis mone ilk yeir for the same, at the said terme ; and
als ordanit the keiparis of thair commend seill to seill him ane assedatioun
thairupoun ; on the quhilk the said Alexander tuik act of court and instru-
ment, afor thir vitnes, Maisteris Thomas Annand, John Kennedy, and
Patrik Gray, with wtheris diuerse.
2&th May, 1544.
Heir follows the wryting send be my Lord Huntlie to the baillies, consell,
and communite of this guid towne :
Rycht treist cousingis, I commend me hartlie to yow : Ye sail vnder-
stand I am informit of the gryt feir ye wndirly daly, and continouall
dreddour quhilkis the communite and peple of your burgh daly wndirlyis,
and gryt pairt of your selfBs and guidis fled to landvard, quharthrow ap-
peris that thair is nane that intendis to provyd your necessite now in
this trublis tym ; thairfor, hawand consideratioun on the premisses, it is
my will, and I command yow, and euerilkan of yow, of the burght, con-
sell, and communite of Abirdene, during my absens, in ray name, to ansuer
and obey in all behalffis concerning the veill of your towne to my cousingis
and seruitouris, Maister Johne Gordoun, Henry Irwyn, Alex. Ruthyfurd,
and Wm. Rolland, and to nane vderis, as ye, and euerilkan of yow, will an-
swer to me thairvpoun ; and this, becaus I haf gewin command and charge
to my freindis and folkis maist ewous yow, at command of the saidis
Maisteris Johnn, Henry Irwyn, Alexr. Ruthirfurd, and Wm. Rolland, to
rise and assist in support of yow, as thai be chargit forther in all behalffis.
I haf schawin to the said Maister Johnne, to quhom ye sell gif crydenis,
God keip yow, at Stireling, the xviij day of May, subscrywit with my hand,
and your ansuer on the premisses, sua I may prowid remeid according
thairto as efferis. Sic subscribitur, youris, George Erll oflp Huntlye.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 201
Heir foUowis the ansyr of the said wryting mayd and send be the baillies 26th May,
and consell of Abirdene. ^^'^'
My lord, efter maist hartlie recommendatioun of our seruice, pleis your
lordschip wyt : We resauit your lordschipis wryting the xxvj day of May
instant, makand mentioun that your lordschip is inforrnyt of the gryt feir
and continuail dreddour led be ws and the inhabitantis of this burghe, and
that ane gryt pairt of our selffis and guidis var fled and remowit to land-
ward, and that we had prowydit na defenssis for our said toune. My lord,
trew it wes ane pairt of our nychtbouris remowit thair gudis, bot nane .
that remowit thame selffis vder than thai that ar past wycht thair mer-
chandis to saill ; and as for our preparing for resistens, my lord of Aber-
dene vill testify, quhom with we concurrit, and hes done at our pouar, as
your lordschip sail knaw at your hame cuming, vil God. My lord, quhar
your lordschip hes writin, hawand respect that the narratioune bed bene
trew maid to your lordschip of ws, thairfor commandand ws, during your
lordschipis absens, to ansuer and obey in all behalffis to your lordschipis
seruitouris, Maister Johne Gordoune, Henrik Irwyne, Alexr. Ruthirfurd,
and Wm. Rolland, and to nane vderis, your lordschip be rememberit ye
haf our band as protectour to wss, and belevis treuly in na vder, sen we
wantit our maister the kingis grace, and sail depend on na vder to our
maistres, the quenis grace, perfyt aige. Heirfor we belief your lord-
schip, of your guidnes, vill nocht, for na particular raannis desyir, hurt
our liberte and priuelege that we haf bed of auld, quhilkis is wnder the
quenis grace, and your lordschip her place haldar to wss, our provest and
baillies, to quhom we ar sworne ; and gif ony of thaim hes failit aganes
the vein of this realm, and in special of this burgh, that being verifiit, at
command and sycht of your lordschip, we sell remoif them and elect vderis
in thair places, to serf the quenis grace and your lordschip, and the com-
mound weill of this toun. Beseikand heirfor, your lordschip, for our
seruice that we ma do your lordschip baycht with our bodyis and guidis,
that your lordschip will stand our guid lord and protectour, lyk as we salbe
reddy at all houris to serf your lordschip quhen it sail pleis your lordschip
charge wss, day or nycht. Thankand your lordschip, in our maist humill
maner, of your lordschipis beneuolous mynd hed towartis wss in causing of
your folkis that ar maist ewiss wss to be in reddenes in our support,
quhilkis we can nocht acquyt nor desert, bot salbe reddy, as forsaid is,
at the wttermaist of our powar, as knawis God, quha mot be your lord-
202 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
Mth M«3 . schipis keipar in sauU and body. Of Abirdene, the xxvj day of May for-
****• said, be your lordschipis huroill seruandis,
Baillies and Consell of Aberdene.
8th July, 1544.
The said day, the haill townn, beyng- warnit be thair hand bell passand
throcht all the stretis of the said town, on the quhilk the berar thairof
maid faith in iugment, and in speciale be the officiaris elikwise passand
throcht all the quartaris of the said towne, on the quhilkis siclik thai maid
fayth in iugment, and conuenand for the maist pairt representand the haill
body of the tounn, it is statut and ordinit be thame, all in ane voce, that
all maner of takismen of this burgh, bayth of watteris and landis, and
siclik all fremen brether of gild of the said burgh, that now ar remanand
to landuart, cum to the said burgh within xlviij houris, and dispone and
prepaire thame selffis to serue the towne with thair personis and gudis in
the quenis grace and gouernouris seruice, now in this tyme of osting, with
the laif of the tovn, lyk as wther nychtbouris thairof dois, vnder the panis
of tinsale of thair takis, tha that hes takis of the toune, and of tinsall of
thair fredome of the said burgh, tha that hes na takis, and of all wther
priuileges tha haue of the said toune, without any request to be hard in
the contrar, and ordinis oppin proclamatioun to be maid heirof at the
mercat corce of the said burgh.
14^A July, 1544.
The said day, the haill consell present for the tyme, all in ane voce
ansignyt, grantit, and gaif to thair servitour, Maister Hew Monro, maister
of the gramar scuyll, ane yeirly pensioun of tene merkis vsuall money of
Scotland, to be payt to hira yeirly be the denis of gyld, at tua termes in
the yeir, Mertimes and Wytsounday, be equall portionis, during all the
days of his lyf, or ay and quhyll thai provyd him to sum vder leving, tak,
or steading of the toun, alse mekill profyt yeirly as the said sowme extendis
to, and that for his diligent laubouris and curis to be maid be hym in tym
cuming, for the instructioun and learnyng of the barnis of the scuill, bayth
in sciens, raaners, vrytingis, and sic vder vertewis concerning thaim, lik as
the said Mr Hew promytit in his bill gewin in to the consell to do and ful-
fill at his wtter power.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 203
18^A Julyi 1544. iSthJuiy.
In the presens of the provest and baillies forsaids, sitand in jugement, ^■^^•
comperit dene Robert Stevinsoun, for himself, and in name and behalf of
the abbot of Deir and convent of the samyn, and geve in this procuratorie
vnderwrittin, subscriuit with thair handis and vnder thair commoun seilis,
and desirit the samin to be registrat in the bukis of the actis. The quhilk
desyre the saidis provest and baillies thocht resinable, and hes ordanit the
samyn to be registrat in the saidis bukis, of the quhilk the tennour followis :
Be it kend till all men, be thir present letteris, ws, Robert, postulat abbot,
priour, and convent of the Abbay of Deir, chepturlie gadderit and riplie
avisit, with consent of our yconimouse, Maister George Myddiltoun and Mr
Androw Kyd, to haif maid, constitute, and ordanit, and be the tenour of
thir presentis, makis, constitutis, and ordanis our welbelouitis dene, Robert
Stevinsoun, priour of Deir, Alexr. Menzeis, Mr. Robert Lumraisden, our
lawfuU procutouris, actouris, factouris, and speciale erand beraris, gefand,
grantand, and committand to our saidis procuratouris, and ilkane of tharae
coniunctlie and seueralie, our werray full plane power and speciale mand-
ment for ws, and in our name, to comper befor the prouest and baillies of
Aberdene, and thair to persew our just richt, titill, and possessionis of
certain landis pertening to our said abbay, within the said burgh, and
speciale of ane land beside the trinite freris, raerchand and boundand with
Sanct Katerins hill and vther landis, as our auld charter, euidentis, and
possessionis at mair lenth specifeis, and of ane vther land Hand in the
Gallowgait of Abirdene, vmquhill inhabit with the heredis of Robert Ewert
and Johnne Andersoun, burges of the said burgh, quhilkis landis belangand
to our said abbay of Deir possessionis, to follow, persew, and defend,
quhair neidfull salbe to our saidis procutouris, in the tolbuith of Abir-
dene, or any vther place quhair justice salbe ministrat, to ilkane of thaim
our generale and speciale pouer we geve, and be thir presentis concedis,
as our selfis personaly war assistant, haldand, and for to hald, all and
quhatsumeuer thingis our saidis procutouris, or ony ane of thaim, in our
names, in the premisses rychtuuslie leidis to be done, vnder the pain of in-
famie and periurie. Gifin vnder our hand writtis and commoun sele, at
Deir, the [ ] day of July, anno xliiij. Here followis the subscriptionis :
Robertus, postulatus abbas ; Robertus Stevinsoun, priour ; Frater Thomas
Kerr, suppriour ; Johannes Anderson ; Alexr. Scherer ; Johannes CuUane ;
Willhelmus Bell ; Frater Duncanus ; Frater Willelmus Pendreicht ; Gil-
204 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
I8th July, bertus Innes ; Gilbertus Chissera ; Joannes Masoun ; Magister George
1544. Myddiltoun, jconiraus ; Magister Andreas Kyd, jconimus.
I9th July, 1544.
Marie, be the grace of God quene of Scottis, to our louittis Carrick
pursevant, messingeris, our schirefis in that parte, coniunctlie and seueralie,
speciaUe constitut, greting : Forsamekle as our governour and lordis of our
counsell hes ordanit the prowest, balzeis, counsell, and communite of our
burgh of Edinburgh, to awance, in the name and behalf of the haill burrowis
of our realme, the sowrae of aucht hundreth frankis, ilk frank xij s., for the
furnessing of the ambassatour that passis to the emperour in Flandris, be
Fraus, for comprehensioune of our realme and the lieges thairof, in the
peax takin betuix the king of Frans and the emperour ; quhilk soume salbe
allowit and defalkit to the haill burrowis, in part of payment of the sowme
awing to ws for the downgetting of the xij deneris. And inlikwyis hes
ordanit thame to furneis ane honest raerchand, and our haill burrowis to
pay amangis thame his furneissing, extending to ij'= frankis, to pass with
our said ambassatour to the effect forsaid, and for desyring of. thair guidis
takin be the jmperouris subiectis in Flandris ; and our burrowis vnder writ-
tin, for thair pairts, ar taxt to pay the sowmes following respectiue, that is to
say : Abirdene, Ivj lib. x s. ; Dundee, iij" xvi lib. ; Perth, xlv lib. ; Banff,
iiij lib. xij d. ; Dunfermling, vi lib. ii s. ; Crale, iiij lib. xij d. ; Forfar,
iij lib. xviij d. ; Breching, x lib. iiij s. ; Montrose, xvi lib. iiij s. ; Elgin, vj
lib. ij s. ; Inuerness, x lib. iiij s. ; Arbrocht, viij lib. ij s. ; Santandrowis,
xviij lib. ; Couper, xiij lib. ; Cullane, xl s. vj d. ; Fores, v lib. xviij d. ;
Name, xl s. vj d. ; Thane, iij lib. xviij d. ; Dysart, vj lib. xij s. ; Kirk-
caldy, vj lib. xij s., lykas the taxt roll maid be the saidis prowest and
bailzeis of Edinburgh thairwpoun beris. Oure will is heirfor, and we
charge yow straytlie, and commandis that incontinent thir our letteris sene
ye pass in our name and author! te, command and charge the pro vest and
balzeis, counsell, and communite of ilk burgh aboue wryttin to mak pay-
ment of the said furnessing of the said soume of ane tliowsand merks, avancit
in maner forsaid, to the said provest and balzeis of Edinburgh, conforme to
the stent and taxt maid thairwpoun, within xlviij houris nixt, efter thai be
chargit be yow tharto, for thair awin partis, vnder the paine of rebellioun
and putting of thame to our home ; quhilks xlviij houris being bypast, that
ye denunce thame our rebellis, and put thame to our home, for the caussis
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 205
forsaid, efter the forme of the act maid be our said governour and lordis I9th July,
of our counsell tharwpoun. The quhilk to do we comraitt to yow, con- ^^^•
iunctlie and seuerlie, our full power, be thir oure letteris, deliuering thame,
be yow dewlie execut and indorsat, againe to the bearer. Gewin vnder
our signett, at Edinburgh, the xxix day of December, and of our regne
the thrid yeir. Per dominos consilii, &c.
1st September, 1544.
The baillies ordanis ane testimoniale to be gifin to Robert Patersoun,
capitane of ane were schip of Dundee, and his colligis and parttismen,
certifieing that it is deponit be the maryneris of Stokholme befor ws, that
thai war nocht hurt in thair personis, molestit, trublit, nor zete spulzeit,
in ony of thair gudis being in ane schip, allegit be the said Robert to be
his just prise, saifand thay tuik the said schip, with all the geir being
thairin allanerlie, samekle as pertenit to thaira that wer marineris, schip-
peris, and sterismen, quhilk was their geir, and portage being exceptit ;
and als to declare that thay depone that the Inglismen quha tuik thaim
last, knawand that thair schip was lek, geve thaim thair leif, and bad thaim
pass and saif thaim selfis quhair they raycht best ; with extentioun of all
vther generale claussis necessar.
The said day, Thomas Menzeis, provest of Aberdene for the tyme,
hes lowsit the arrestment maid vpoun ane scheip, and certane tymmer
being thairin, allegit pertening to Robert Patersoune and vtheris, quhilk
arrestment was maid at the instance of the haill towne and commonite
thairof, becaus Wm. Kinlocht, burges of Dunde, is become souertie to
kepe the tovnschip of Aberdene scathles thairof, as law will, at all handis
quhome it efferis.
This is the gudis eftir following cum in ane schip, the maryneris of
Stokholum, tane as ane prise be Robert Patersoune, Thomas Ross, Henry
Couthbert, and Alexander Wallace, capitanis, quhilkis schippis pertenit
ane to Dundee, ane to Kirkcaldy, and twa to Leith, quhilk com in the
havyn of Aberdene, in the moneth of August, in the yere of God 1544
yeris ; for the quhilkis gudis William Kinlocht is become souertie to kepe
the towneschip of Aberdene scathles, as law will, at all handis quhome it
efferis, and this befor Thomas Menzeis for the tyme. Item, in the first,
ane schip of fyr, quhilk wes storit as vraik in hir cumin in the havyn, with
2 D
206 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
1st September, hir hale salis of wadmale claith, and thrie ankeris, ane cabill, and ane auld
cabill, and cross, with the schrouddis and taikallis, and in the said schip
xiiij" sparris, ij" xxiiij rauchteris, xxv hydis dry and salt, viij" xviij goit-
skinnis, and xiij mair, fyfte aucht pik schaftis, aucht barrellis tar, vij treis
of aik and fir.
5th September^ 1544.
The quhilk day, it is thocht expedient be the hale consale for ane con-
ding raendis to be maid to the breder of the blakfreris, for the injuries
done to thaim be thir personis under writtin : that is to say, Alexr. Men-
zeis, Patrik Gray, Alexr. Tulydef, Maister Johne Kennedy, Thomas
Burrale, baxter, Collene Porterfeild, Michell Andersone, and the rema-
nent of thair coUigis quha was present at the committing of the said wrang,
that all the saidis personis sail cum on ane Sunday, or other festuale haly
day, to Sanct Nicholace kyrk, and thair in the quere of the samin, in time
of the hie mess, and sitt doune on thair kneyis bareheid, and offer euery
ane of thaim ane sarge of new walx to God, in presens of the commissar
of Aberdene, in name and behalf of my lord of Aberdeene, thair prelait,
the priour of the said place, in name and behalf of his brother, and the
provest, baillies, and consale of this gude toune, and thair confess that thai
haif failzeit to the said religiouse men, askand the said priour, in name and
behalf of the hale brother, forgevenes of the said fait, oblisand thameselffis,
geve ever thai be convict in ony siclyke cryme in tym cuming to ony re-
ligiouse men, never to haif interes in this towne, and vnder the pane of
tinsale of all that thay haif within the samin, and to vnderly the penence
iniungit to thaim be thair ordiner.
\2th September, 1544.
My lord provest and baillies : Vnto your worschipis humelie menis and
complenis, I, your seruitour, Alexr. Guthrie, als Suawdoune harrold, vpoun
Wm. Pactoun, schipper of ane schip of Dunde: that quhair in the moneth
of Junij bipast, it was convenit betuix me and the said Wm. that he sould
baif had ane brother sone of myne to Denmark in his schip, for the quhilk he
ressauit fra me x s. of money, half ane barrell of aile, price x s., ane nycht
mantile, and viij s. wourth of quhite breid ; and thairefter, I being absent
of the towne, send away my said brother sone to Monross his erandis, and
past away or his hame cuming, nocht fulfilling his condicioun and promess,
OF THE BUKGH OF ABEBDEEN. 207
as said is. Beseikand herefor your worschipis to cause the said William I2th Sept.,
restoir to me the money and geir forsaid, deliuerit to him as said is, becaus ^^^•
he hes nocht fulfiUit his condicioun and promiss, and your ansuer humelie I
beseik.
I8th September, 1544.
The said day, the hale consale being convenit togidder, hes feit Sir
Jhone Fethy to be one of the prebendaris of their queir, and to half thair
organis and sang schole for instructioun of the men of gudis barnis, and
keping of thaim in gude ordour, and he to mak continuale residence in the
said queir ; ffor the quhilk thai haf gifin him xx lib. yeirlie of fee, to be
thankfuUie payit to him yeirlie sa lang as he remanis and makkis gude
service to the towne, and that of the reddiest of thair commoun gude.
6th October, 1544.
The said day, compeirit Mr. George Young, procutour for the cheplauis
of the haile queir of the cathedrall kirk of Abirdene, and producit ane pro-
ces of recognitioun, ordourlie led at thrie sindry heid courtis, of ane annuale
rent of v s. yeirlie, aucht to the saidis chaplanis of ane waist land, perten-
ing to vmquhile Robert Smyth, burges of this burgh ; and siclyke of ane
vther annuale rent of xij s. of ane vther waist land in Futie, and conform
thairto, desirit heretable possessioun of the propertie. The saidis provest
and baillies, for certane considerationis moving thame, continewis the said
mater vnto this day xv dayis, and ordanis to wame all partyis, be oppin
proclamatioun, haifand intires in this mater, to compeir the said day for the
said possessioun gifin, or ellis to schaw ane resonable cause quhy : with cer-
tification to thame, and they failze, the saidis provest and bailzies will give
the saidis prebendaris or thair procutouris, in thair names, possessioun of
the saidis landis conforme to justice.
lO^A October, 1544.
The said day, the consale ratifies and affermes all actis and statutis maid
of befoir, of spilling of the market of girnalis, balding of wappinnis to be
had in euery merchandis buith, of ressetouris, of strengeris, of selling of
tauch, sine, flesche, fische, penny caikis, and all vther statutis and actis maid
of befor, for actionis concerning the commoun wele of this gude towne, and
ordanit thame to be keipit and obseruit in all poyntis in tyme curaing.
208 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
14th October, I4th October, 1544.
1644. The quhilk day, in presens of the saidis provest and baillies, sittand in
jugement for the tyme, compeirit Mr Thomas Annane, procuratour, and
in name and behalf of ane nobill and mychtie lord, George erle of Huntlie,
Lord Gordoun and Baidzenochk, &c, and geve in his acquittance and dis-
charge vnderwrittin, quhilk was subscriuit be the personis vnder specifeit
in jugement, this instant day, in presens of ws, and desirit the samin to be
registrat in the court bukis, and that he mycht haif the extract of the samin
vnder the tovnis testimoniale, and vnder the secrete sele ; the quhilk desire
the saidis provest and baillies thocht resinable, and thairfor ordanis the
samin to be insert in the saidis bukis, and to be given furth autentiklie
agane, vnder thair testimoniale and secrete sele, to the said procutour, in
name and behalf forsaid, in dew forme as efferis. Of the quhilk acquittance
and discharge the tenour foUowes : Be it kend till all men, be thir present
letteris, ws, Guilliame Hodierim and Christofer Lasingzert, Britoneris, to
haif resauit, be the handis of ane nobill and methy lord, George erle of
Huntlie, Lord Gordoun and Banzenocht, &c., in name and behalff of ane
nobill and excellent lady, lady Marie, moder to ane maist excellent princes,
Marie queue of Scotland, &c., the sovm of twelf hundreth thre skorr alevin
pundis and xiiij d. vsuale monye of Scotland, in cur-sabill and vsuall pennijs,
and sufficient merchandice and penneworthis, deliuerit and payit to ws,
within the toune of Abirdene, be vertew and eftir the tennour of hir grace
charge and writting, direct and send with ws to his lordschip, of the date,
at Striiieling, the fyrst day of September, in the yeir of God, v*' xliij yeris,
subscriuit and signet be hir grace, as the samin propirtis at mair lynth in
the self, for the hame bringing of certane wynis and munitionis of ar-
tailzerie furth of the parte of France to Alloway in Scotland, &c., of the
quhilk soum of xij*' Ixxi lib. xiiij d. we hald ws wele content and thank-
fuUie payit, be the said nobill and mychty lord and vtheris his seruitouris
in his name ; and thairfor, be the tenour heirof, dischargis, exoneris, and
quitclamis the saidis nobill and excellent lady and lord forsaid, thair airis,
executoris, and assignais, and all vtheris quhome it efferis, in vberiore
juris forma. In witnesse of the quhilk thing we haif subscriuit this our ac-
quittance and discharge -with our handis, at Abirdene, in jugement, in the
tolbuith of the samyn, the xiiij day of October, anno xliij yeris, befor thir
witnessis, honorable men, Thomas Menzeis of Petfoddellis, provest of the
said burgh ; Dauid Andersone, ane of the baillies of the same ; Mr Johne
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 209
Gordoun, William Rolland, Alexr. Menzeis, Johne Ruthirfurd, and Mr i4th October,
Robert Lummisden, burgessis of the said burghe, with vtheris diuerse. ^^^^•
The said day, comperit Gilliam Odiarne and Cristofer Lasenzear, Bre-
toneris, and exponit how thai had gifin the samin day, in presens of the
saidis provest and baillies, ane cleir acquittance and discharge of the
sovmes of xij* Ixxi lib. xiiij d. to George Erie of Huntlie, in name and
behalf of Mary quene of Scotland, quhilk the said lady wes awin thaim for
the furing of certaine wyne and munition furth of France to hir grace,
and nochtwithstanding that thai haif gifin ane cleir acquittance of the hale
sowme, nochttheles that thair restis vnpayit to thame, be the handis of Wil-
liam Adamson, [ ] lastis of salmound, [ ] daker of hydis, vnpayit,
quhilk the saidis provest and baillies affermes that the samin restis be the
said Wm. Adamsoun, vnpayit, as yite to the saidis Bretoneris, vpoun the
quhilkis affirmatioun and testificatioun the saidis Bratonaris askit not of
court.
The said day, Gilliam Ordiarne and Cristopher Lasenzear, Bretoneris,
grantit in jugement the ressett of this woU vnderwrittin, fra the personis
vnderspecifeit, in name and behalf of George erle of Huntlie, and inlik-
maner grantit thaim thankfuUie payit thairof, that is to say, fra Maister
Johnne Gordoun, ane hundreth li. stane of woll ; fra Dauid Andersoun,
five scoir stane of woll ; and fra Wm. Rolland, xl stane of woll ; vpon the
quhilkis confessionis the saidis Maisteris Johne, Dauid, and William askit
note of court.
2lst October, 1544.
The said day, the bailzeis commandit and ordinit all four the officiaris,
in iugment, to pas throcht all the rewis and streitis of the tovnn, als oft as
neid beis, and vesy and seik all caik baxteris that bakis ony cakis to sell,
and tak all thair girdilis thai apprehend baikand siclik cakis, and present
the said girdillis to thame, and verefy that thai tuik the same fray caik
baxteris, baikand caikis to sell, and thai sail haue the said escheit to thaim
for thair travell ; and causit the officiaris suer the gryt aith to exerce the
same lelilie and trewlie, without feid or fauour, and to present the saidis
girdillis as oft as thai culd apprehend thame.
210 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
2lit October, The said day, all the four bailzeis of this guid tounn, conuenit in iug-
^***" ment, exponit and schew to all the brostaris within this guid tovnn, ilkane
for thair avin quarter respectiue, that tha had broken the statutis gevin
to thame be the prov^est, baillies, and counsale, in selling of aill derrar
thane xvi d. the gallovnn, be fremennis viffis, and derrar than xii d. be vri-
fremennis viffis, quhilk yei culd nocht deny, for the quhilkis thai mycht
haue pundit the saidis brostaris thairfor ; nochttheles thai remittit all faltis
bigane sene Mychtelmes bigane to this day, anent the said aill, and com-
mandit and chargit all the said brostaris, ilkane within thair quarteris re-
spectiue, as thai var callit, that nane of tham sell ony aill derrar in tymes
cumyng, quhill the tovnn be forder avisit, be thame selffis nor thair ser-
uandis, in thair houissis, nor without thair houissis, than xvj d. the gallown of
fremennis, and xii d. per the gallown of vnfremennis viffis, vnder the panis
of viij 8. vnforgevin, for the first fait ; and viij s. and the daling of their
aill, for the secund fault ; and viij s. and daling of thair aill, and striking
out of thair caddioum bodoum, for the third fait ; without any fauour or re-
quest to be haid or vsit in the contrar.
3lst October, 1544.
The said day, the haill tovnn, being varnit to this day be thair hand bell,
be the berar tharof passand throw the streitis of the said tovnn, and con-
venit be the maist pairt within the tolbuith of the same, representand the
haill townn, on the quhilk varning the said bellman maid faith in iugment,
it was schawin and denuncit to thame be Gilbert Menzes, ane of the balzeis
of the said burgh, that thair was tua preceptis of parliament cuming to the
said tovnn, and presentit to the bailzeis of the said burgh, and be the
quenis grace, with the aviso and counsale of the gouernour to the parlia-
ment to be haldin in Edinburgh, and to begyne the sax day of Nouember
instant, with continuacioun of dais. Ane wther precept of the said quenis,
with the avise of the lordis of counsale, to be haldin in Striveling, and to
begyne the xii day of Nouember instant nixt cumis, with continuacioun of
dais, togidder with ane supplicatioun of the Erie of Huntlie, leutenent
generale of the north, requerand the said tovnn to send thair commissioners
to the said parliament to be haldin in Striveling, requirand the said tounn
quidder thai wald ansuer to the said preceptis thame selffis, or gif tha
wald refer the ansuer thairof to the counsale, quhilk ansuerit, sayand.
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 211
tha referrit the same to the counsale to gif ansuer thairto, as tha thocSt 3ist October,
expedient, quhilk thre bailzeis aforwrittin, with thir persons following,
Maister John Gordoun, William RoUand elder, &c., convenit within thair
counsale houisse, and tha beyng circularlie inquerit be the said Gilbert
Menzes, baillie, ansuerit, all sayand tha wald send thair commissaris to the
quenis parliament sett, with the aviso of hir gouernour, to be haldin in
Edenburgh, and to begyn the vj day of Nouember instant nixt cumis, and
chesit Thomas Menzeis, thair provest, Andro Menzes, thane absent, as
present, and Maister John Gordon, thair commissaris to the said par-
liament, and ordinit ane commissioun to be maid to thame and to the maist
pairt of thaim thairto, vnder thair commond seill, and ordinit the keiparis
thairof to seill the same, except Dauid Andersone, William RoUand elder,
Maister Robert Lumraisdale, and John Ruderfurd, quhilk ansuerit tha
wald nocht consent to send ony commissaris to ony of the said parliamentis,
and Maister John Gordoun, quhilk said, he vald consent to send com-
missaris to the quenis parliament, with aviso of the lordis to be haldin in
Stirveling, conforme to my lord locumtenentis writin, and desirit the coun-
sale of the said locumtenentis writin, quhilkis ansuerit as is afor writin.
1st December, 1544.
The said day, Maister Johnne Gordoun allegit in jugement that he hed
ane commissioun of his maister, the lietennentis, to tak cognitioun vpoun
the hinging of the image of Sant Francois, and quhome he fand calpabile
thairof, to put thame in the baizes handis in keiping, on to the tyme that
justice wer don vpoun thame therfor as the law requirit ; and that he, be
vertu thairof, hed takin cognitioun in the said mater ; and that it wes vere-
fyt and knawin to him that Thomas Branche and Thomas Cussing wes tua
of thame that wes hingaris of the said image, and therfor deliuerit thame in
jugement to the bailies forsaid, and requirit thame, in the luetennentis name,
to keip thame in ferme securite and ward, quhill justice mycht be done on
thame therfor, be the said leutenent or his deputis, as thai wald ansuer to
the leutennent thairupoun ; and thairefter the said baizes requirit all the four
officiaris in jugement to intromett with the said tua personis, and deliuerit
thame to the said oflSciaris in jugement, and requirit thame to keip the said
personis in ward in the tolbuyth, as thai wald ansuer to thame and the
toune thairupoun ; and gif thai misterit ony mair help, thai said be sup-
212 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
ist December, portit as thai misterit and requirit ; on the quhilkis thai tuik instrumentis
1544. and actis of court.
I2tk December i 1544.
The said day, Symsoun Terwes and Ammo wro use Tailzour ar conuikit
be the some assise aboun writin, Maister Robert Lumraisdale chancelar
thairof, for the cuming to Sanderis Jaffrayis duelling howse one Sanct Ni-
cholace day at evin at last was, vnder silence of nycht, at xij houris of the
nycht, or thairby, and seiking of the said Alexander for his grit skaith,
with ane aix and stanis, and casting of stanis at the said Alexanderis house
in grit nummer, and bluid dravin of the said Alexanderis vife in grit
quantite, quharfor thai, and ilk ane of thame, is in amerciament of the court,
to forbeir in tyme to cum, and mend as law will, and that is gevin for
dowrae, be the mouth of Thomas Blaw, dempster of the court for the tyme>
and the mendis heirof modifeit be the said assise, as efter folio wis : that is
to say, the said assise ordanis the said Symsonis Terwes and Ammorouse
Tailzours cragis to be put instantlie in the gowife, and incontinent thairefter
tane out agane, and thane to cum to the kirk and pass afor the processioun,
sark alane, afor the hie mess, with ane candill of ane pund of wax in thair
handis, and efter the said processioun to offer the said tua candillis to Sanct
Nicholace wark, and ask the said Alexander and his vif forgiffnes, and beseik
the bailzies and men of guid of the tovne to solist thame to forgif tharae,
and alse to fynd cautioun one Sonday, or thai be takin out of the tolbuith,
for the townis vnlawis.
20th December, 1544.
The said day, the counsale vnder writin hes requistit my lord locum-
tenent to be freman of this burgh, to that effect that he may be abill to
accept the office of prouestry of this burgh, presentlie vacand be renuncia-
tioun, and our givin of the said office be the prowest, or ellis thai sail, be
his lordschipis counsale, cheis ane competent man to the said office, viz.,
ane burges and freman of this burgh, and actuale induellar of the same, al-
waise prouiding that ihe priuelege of the same be obseruit and nocht hurt ;
and, in the meintyme, that thai sail nocht cheis the said prowest without
the said lordis consale thairto. Thir ar the namis of the counsale present
for the tyme : Andro Cullane, Alexr. Rudirfurd, Dauid Andersoun, Andro
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN 213
Menzeis, Maister Robert Lumtnisdale, William Rolland elder, and Johnn 20th Dec,
Rudirfurd. 1544.
Isf January i 1545.
My lord prouost and bailzeis of this nobill guid townn of Abirdene, on
to your w[ ], huinelie meins and complenis, I, your daly oratour and
seruand, Maister Edward Menzeis, chaplane, vpoun Gilbert Mar, burges
of the said burgh : That quhair in the moneth of Junij, or thairby, in the
yeir of God j™ v« xxxviij yeris, I maid the said Gilbert Mar factour and
merchand to me, to the selling of four barrellis of salmond, suflScient mer-
chand guid of the richtuus bind of Abirdene, pertening to me, schipit in
the said Gilbertis schip, that passit in Franche in the moneth aboun writin, or
thairby, and to haue warit the fre mone thairof for my proffeit vpon cer-
tane hemp, bonnatis, bukrame, marekyn, skynnis, filkis, poyntis, and wther
small geir, conforme to my merchand bill, deliuerit to the said Gilbert by
me thairwpoun, quhilk four barrellis of salmond the said Gilbert intromettit
with, and said in Franche as merchand to me, at the tyme forsaid, and
warit the fre mone thairof on hempe, bonnatis, bukrame, marekyn, skynnis,
silkin poyntis, and wther small varing, conforme to my merchand bill, and
pakit the samin in ane puncioun ; and in the hayme cuming of the said
schip sche chancit, be storme and tempest of see, to brak at Danis in Py-
cardy, and the said puncioun of dry gudis cum saifly and dry vpoun land
with the said merchandreis, in presens of the said Gilbert my merchand.
Nochttheless, the said Gilbert, wrangusly and aganis the law, postponis
and deferris to mak me compt and rakning, deliuerance, and paiment of my
said four barrellis of salmound, price of the barrell four pund Scottis, nor
yit will deliuer me the said puncioun of dry wair, with the merchandreis
aboun writin, bocht be him to me, conforme to my merchand bill, quhilk
cum saifly and dry vpoun land as said is, howbeit I haue requirit him diuerse
tymes thairfor, nor yit intendis to do, without he be compellit be iustice
thairto. Beseiking heirfor your worschipis, provest and bailzeis forsaid, to
decerne and compell be iustice the said Gilbert Mar to mak me compt
rakning, deliuerance, and paiment of the said four barrellis of salmond,
price of the barrell four lib. Scottis, or than to deliuer me the said pun-
cioun of dry vair, conforme to my merchand bill, quhilk come saifly and
dry to land, in presens of the said Gilbert, for the ressonis and causis
forsaid, togidder with my expensis maid, and to be maid, in the persuit
2 E
214 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
lit January, thairof ; and, gif neid beis, this ray petitioun to haue the strynth of ane
!"*• borgh.
14/A January^ 1545.
The said day, the haill townn being warnit to thair tolbuith be thair
hand bell passand throcht all the rewis and stretis of the townn, on the
quhilk the berar thairof maid faith in iugment, and convenit for the maist
pairt, representand the haill body of the tovnn, Thomas Menzeis of Pet-
foddellis, prouest of the said burghe, for certane causis moving him for
the time, renunciat and ourgaif his office of prouestry quhilk he had of the
said tovnn, in the said tovnnis handis, als frelie as tha gaif him the same
obcfor ; and thairefter, the said tovnn, being convenit as said is, namit
and chesit ane nobill and mychty lord, George Erie of Huntlie, Lord
Gordoun and of Bangzenocht, and Iccumtencnt generale of the northt of
Scotlandt for the tyme, thair superiour, protectour, and prouest, quhill
the fest of Sanct Mychaell nixt to cum, quhilk lord acceptit the said office
on him, and sueir the grit [aith] to exerce the said office lelilie and trewlie
quhill Mychelmess next cumis, and to keip and defend the auld priuilegiis
of the said burgh, and thair liberties, vse and wont ; and that he sail do
nathing concerning the said townes actionis, besynes, querellis, and prof-
fitis, without the expresse counsale and consent of the said townis some
counsale had thairto, and to do iustice to riche and puir equalie, without
feid or fauour, during the said tyme. And, thairefter, because the said
lord mycht not guidlie remain in the said townn continualie, to exerce the
said office, conforme to his said ayth, therfor the said lord, with expresse
consent and assent of the said toun, conucnit as said is, deput and surrogat
the said Thomas Menzeis in his place of the said office, and committit and
gaif the said Thomas Menzies the same povar, richt, and auctorite he hes
of the said office during the tyme forsaid, and to exerce, do, hant, and
vse al maner of thingis concerning the said office, as he did abefor, and
that the said lord mycht do and he war present in propir persoun, without
ony maner of exceptioun, reclamatioun, or appellatioun to be allegit or
proponit in the contrar fray the said Thomas, for quhatsumeuer cause,
during the time forsaid. Quhilk Thomas Menzeis accepit the said office
on him, in presens of the said lord and town, and is sorn the gryt aith
thairto, as is aboun writin ; on the quhilkis the said lord tuik instrument
and act of court afor thir vimes, Maisteris Alexr. Ogilwy of Glassaucht,
OF THE BUKGH OF ABEKDEEN. 215
Patrik Ogistoun, Thomas Annand, John Kennedy, notaris publik, Patrik uth January,
Gray, and Thomas Blair, with vtheris diuerse. i^*^-
2Sth January^ 1545.
The said day, the haill towne beyng conuenit, as said is, chesit Walter
CuUane and Andre Losoun, thair collectouris to resauc the mone and
taxt devisit be the townn, for the furnesing of the fifty men that suld pas
to the locumtenent to Elgene, for resisting of the Ilismen, quhilk personis
accepit the said ofl&ce on tham in iugment.
The said day, Alexr. Ratray, skipar of ane schip callit the [ ], ex-
ponit and schew in iugment how he wes chargit and causit to pas with his
said schip in the northt land, to serue the locumtenent in his besynes for
the tyme, throcht the quhilk he mycht nocht fulfill and keip his promise
to his Franchis men. Protestand therfor, that he incur na danger thair-
throw, and that he ma haue his promise and condicioun of his Franchis
keipit to him efteruart, nochtwithstanding the premissis, becaus the fait
standis nocht in him ; and Gilbert Tulidef, for himself and the laif of the
Franchismen of the said schip, protestis that tha be fre of all condicioun
maid be thame to the said Alexr. anent the said schip, becaus he keipis
nocht his condicioun to tham, and tha all reddy, as he allegit, to fulfill and
keip thair conditioun to the said Alexr.
Wth February^ 1545.
The said day, the haill tovnn beyng varnit to this day, the said bailzeis
intimat, proponit, and schew the townn and nytihtbouris thairof how the
quenis grace letteris, gevin be decreit and act of parlyament, of the dait, at
Lynlythgow, the fift day of October, and of hir regnne the thrid yoir, vnder
hir signet, to taxt and stent the nychtbouris of the said burgh, conforme to
the auld taxacionis efferand, to the sowme of xvj thousand pundis, grantit
be the thre estatis of the realme, to be taxit and devidit on the said realm,
conforme to the auld taxacionis, extending to the said burghis part to the
sowme of four hundreth merkis xiij merkis iiij s. vj d. Scottis money, or
thairby, to haue bene taxit and inbrocht to the collectouris thairof at tua
termes : that is to say, the half thairof at all Hallowmess, and the wther half
of the same at new yeris day bigane ; and als our souerane lady is wther
letteris, of the dait at Edinburgh, the xxviij day of Januar, and of hir
216 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
11th February, regnne the ferd yeir, chargiand the prouest and bailzeis of the said burgh
1545. jQ collect, inbring, and deliuer the said taxt to the coUectouris thairof, viz.,
Maister John Daluestoun, persoun of Disart, and Maister John Scryra-
geour, of the Myris, thair factouris or deputis, in thair names, havand thair
povar thairto, within four dais nixt efter tha war chargit thairto, vnder the
pane of rebellioun, and putting of thame to our souerane ladyis home, lyk as
in the said letteris at mair lynth is contenit.
19^^ March, 1545.
The said day, the haill town being warnit to this day be thair hand bell
passand throw all the rewis and stretis of this guid town, on the quhilk the
berar thairof maid fayth in iugment, and conuenand within the tolbuith of
the same for the maist part, representand the haill townn, compeirit Alexr.
Menzeis elder, and thair resignit and our gaif in the said townis handis, in
iugment, his office of the hand bell of the said burgh, with all proffetis, emo-
lumentis, and accidentis pertening or that ma pertene thairto vse and wont,
in fauouris of Walter Lesly, burges of the said burgh, for certane proflPetis,
emolumentis, and accidentis to the said Alexr. for his lyftyme ; and thair-
efter the said tovne, conuenit as said is, all in ane voce, na maner of per-
soun opponand nor sayand in the contrar, frely gaif the said office of thair
hand bell, with all maner of proffetis, emolumentis, and accidentis pertening
or that ma pertene thairto vse and vont, to the said Walter Lesly for all
the dais of his lyftyme to him and his deputies, he, or his deputis in his
name, doand and keipand the seruice and duyteis pertening to the same vse
and wont allanerly, without ony wther thing that ma be askit or requirit
thairof during his lyftym, and reseruand alvaise the proffetis, emolumentis,
and accidentis thairof to the said Alexander during all the dais of his lyf-
tyme, and dovind the seruice and duyteis thairof during the said tyme ; and
ordinit ane gift to be maid heirvpoun to the said Walter for all the dais of
his lif, vnder the commond seill, and ordinit the keiparis thairof to seill the
same thairwith ; on the quhilkis the said Walter tuik act of court and in-
strument, afor thir witnes, Alexr. Ruderfurd, Alexr. Gray elder, James
Allirdes, Patre Gray, and Maister John Kennedy, notar publik, with
wtheris diuerse.
The said day, the balzeis decernit and ordinit the said Walter Leslie to
cause clenge and bald clein the mercat and cawsay about the corce, and to
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 217
do all wtheir duyteis efferand to the office aboun writin, how sone he enteris I9th March,
with the proffetis thairof ; and failzeing thairof, it salbe lesum to the officeris ^^^'
of the said burgh for the tyme to caus do the same on his expensis, and he
to refund and pay the same incontinent thairefter als oft as neid beis.
Sequitur assensus prepositi ad premissa.
Traist cousingis, after hartly commendatioun : Forsamekle as we ar infor-
mit that Alexr. Menzies elder, your nychtbour, is of mynd and vill to re-
singe in our handis and youris the gift and titile quhilk he hes of the town
of Abirdene in and to the bell of the same office, proffetis and commoditeis
pertening thairto, in fauouris of Walter Leslie, your nychtbour, to the ef-
fect the said Walter ma be ordurlie prouidit thairto for all the dais of his
lif, quhar our guide veill, consent, and authorite is desirit be the said
Walter in the resignatioun and his admissioun forsaidis, quharfor our vill
and mynd is, gif the said Alexr. will resing, as said is, in fauoris of the said
Walter, and als gif ye be of mynd and will to ressaue the said Walter, that
ye ressaue and admitt the samyn conforme to the cousuetudis of the said
burgh, and the said Walter doand therfor as vse and wont ; to the quhilk,
be thir presentis, we absent as present, interponis our consent, will, and
auctorite, and committis to yow our powar in that part to admitt and pro-
wid the said Walter in the premisses, vnder your commond seill, as vse.
Subscrivit with our hand, and gevin vnder our signit, within the cite of
Abirdene, the xviij day of Marche, the yeir of God ane thousand fiyve
hundreth fourty and five yeiris. Et sic subscribitur, George Erie of
Huntly. To our louittis cousingis, bailzeis, counsale, and communitie of
Abirdene.
29th March, 1545.
The said day, the counsale, present for the tyme, remittit James Man-
chanis vnlaw of tuenty pundis, at request of my [lord] Iluntly, prouest,
subscriuit with his awin hand, of the quhilk the tennour followis : Traist
cousingis, efter hartlie commendatioun, ye be rememberit I requestit yow
to remitt James Manchane, and his cautioneris, the paine and vnlaw quhilk
he was adjugit in for his forstalling, quhilk I pray yow and requestis yit to
do, and nocht to pund nor distrenze him nor his cautioneris, nor thair
gudis thairfor, assurand yow it salbe the henmest request that I sail
218 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
29th March, charge yow of in sic behalffis, hot to mentene and defend the liberte and
1545. fredome of your townn ; and is content that na wther requestis of myne be
admittit be yow in tyrae cuming in sic materis. And gif ye pleis nocht
to be content of this, I oblege me to satisfe and content yow of the said
vnlaw, quhilk is xx lib., as is shavin me ; praying yow effectasly nocht to
dissobey this ray desyir, and God keip yow. Of Abirdene, the xxiiij day
of March, subscriuit, &c. Et sic subscribitur, youris, George Erie of
Huntly. And thaireftir the said counsale dischargit the said James Man-
chane, and his cautioneris, of the said vnlaw of xx lib., at the said prouestis
request forsaid.
The said day, the haill tovnn, beyng conuenit as said is, grantit and gaif
licence to thair seruitour and singar, lohn Kilstaris, to pas to the college
in Auld Abirdene, to study and lerning of letteris ; and ordanit him to
haue paiment of his pentioun and fee of fourty schillingis yerly, as he had
abefor allanerlie, he keipand seruice in thair queir all Sondais and haly dais
in the yeir allanerly, salang as he keipis the said seruice and continevis
thairintill.
4th April, 1545.
The said day, Walter Hay oblegit him faithfuUie to deliuer to the priour
and conuent of the quhit freris of Abirdene, ane maid siluer challeis of
tuenty vncis of siluer, guid siluer and fre maid to tharae, betuix this and
Vitsonday nixt cummis ; and alse the said Walter grantit him avand the
said pryour and conuent tuenty tua merkis Scottis mone, to pay at thir
termes following : that is to say, v merkis and ane half at Lammes nixt
cumis, vther v merkis and ane half at Candilmess nixt cumis, the third
V merkis and ane half at Lammes nixt thaireftir, and the ferd v merkis and
ane half at Candilmess nixt thaireftir, in compleit paiment of the said xxij
merkis. And for deliuerance of the said challeis, and paiment of the said
mone, at the termes forsaid, Dauid Andersoun, baillie, Alexander Chal-
mer elder, and Richert Watsoun, ar becurain souerteis, coniuntlie and
seueralie, to the said priour and conuent, be thair faythis in thair bodeis ;
and the saidis Walter oblegit him to releife his said souerteis thairof, at
the termis forsaid, afoir thir witnes : James Andersoun, Maister Robert
Andersoun, and Thomas Andersoun.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 219
8M Aprils 1545. 8th April.
The said day, Sande Kemp, baxter, is conuikit be the counsale for the ^^^'
offering of the France capitane of tene dosoun of iij d. braid of quhit, for
the boll of quhit, contrar the commond weill of the town, and hindering the
proffeit thairof, and he and all wther baxteris of the guid toun ordinit to
decest fra doyng of sic thingis in tymes cumyng, vnder the pane of expell-
ing of thame of thair craft within the said burgh, for yeir and day, and
paying of xl s. to Sanct Nicholace wark vnforgevin. And als ordinit the
said Sanderis to pay viij s. to the sustentatioune of the seik folkis, for the
fait bigane unforgevin.
\^th April, 1545.
The said day, the haill townn being conuenit in thair heid court, within
the tolbuyth, as tha that aucht of the law soit and presens thairto, repre-
sentand the haill body of the townn, it wes exponit and schavin to thame
be thair provest, Thomas Menzeis, how the quenis grace letteris war
cumin vpoun this guid townn a lang tyme by gane syne, to stent, taxt, and
raise, on the nychtbouris and inhabitantis of the said burgh, the sowrae of
iiij*' xiiij lib. vj s. viij d. Scottis mone, for the defense of our bordouris
aganis our auld ennimies of Ingland, and na prouisioun maid thairfor, quhilk
he belevit suld be to the tounis gryt skayth, and the same war nocht pro-
uidit and maid redy ; and siclik, schew thame how the said toun hed ane gift
of vmquhill king James the Ferd, of guid mynd, to be fre of the paiment of
custom of salmond of townis watteris ; and siclik, had gottin this gouernouris
gift of the doun getting of tua s. of custum of ilk barrell of salmond, quhilk
giftis he beleuit wald nocht be admittit be the lordis of chakar, now haistilie
to sit doun on the quenis comptis, without the same war laborit and dressit
abefor, quhilk wald nocht be done without grit laboris and revardis thar-
for ; heirfor exortand the said townn and nychbouris to prouid remeid
heirintill, and to find the esiest way how mone mycht be gottin heirto.
Quhilkis, eftir lang auisament and consultatioun had heirvpoun, thocht ex-
pedient, concludit, and ordinit commissaris to be chosin, to few takis for
main takis, prolong takis of the townis watteris or landis, and to sett ony
rovmes or takis of new tha can find vaccand to ony nochtbour of the guid
towne, thair aires or assignais, malis, burgessis, and actuall induellaris the
said burghe, and to nane vtheris, that will gif redy mone therfor, as the
said commissaris sail think expedient to the said townis bcsynes forsaid ;
220 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th April, and to that effect chesit Thomas Menzies, Alexr. Rudirfurd, Dauid An-
1545. dersoun, Thomas Chalmer, and Maister John Gordoun, thair comraissaris
to the said effect, and ordinit [ ] to be maid to thame*
thairwpoun, vnder thair commoiid seill, and ordinit the keiparis thairof to
seill to thame ane commissioun thairvpoun, gevand thame, and the maist
pairt of thame, thair full power thairto ; on the quhilkis the said prouest
tuik instrument and act of court.
I9th April, 1545.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale, present for the tyme,
within the chaptour of thair kirk, ordinit Alexr. Ratray, gunnar, to remaine
and perseueir still in the tovnis seruice, as he did afor, to the end of the
moneth of May nixt cumis, and to haue for his lauboris as he had of befor ;
and ordinit him to be pait of his hail lauboris he hes seruit bigane, and siclik
in tyrae to cum, to the end of the said moneth of May, and ordinit the denis
of gild to pay him the same of the tovnis rediest mone.
I2th May, 1545.
The said day, John Tulidef is conuikit for the strublance of Andro
Lawsoun, and James Lawsoun, his brother, menstrallis, in this sort fol-
lowing, viz. : for mannesing, hosting, and inuading of thame twa sindry
tymes, the tane tyme with ane quhingar, and the tother tyme with ane tre,
quherfor he is in ane amerciament of court to forbeir in tyme to cum, and
mend as law will, and that is gevin for dovme, be the movth of Thom
Blair, dempster of the court for the tyme, and the mendis heirof continew
to be modifeit be the consale.
\5th June, 1545.
The said day, the haill tounn beyng varnit be thair hand bell passand
throw all the stretis of the guid townn, on the quhilk the berar thairof
maid faith in iugraent, and convenit within thair tolbuith for the maist
pairt, representand the haill body of the townn, tha being circualie inquirit
be Alexr. Rudirfurd, ane of the bailzeis of the said burgh, consentit, all
in ane voce, na maner of persone opponand nor sayand in the contrar, and
for thame and thair successouris, statut and ordinit that all maner of schip
and schipis that hapnis to cum to this guid tovnn to sell be strangeris, be
bocht be the provest and baillies, or the maist pairt of thame for the tyme.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 221
with ane pairt of the counsale of the said burgh for the tyme, ; and gif isthJune,
the prouest beis absent, be the bailzes and counsale present for the tyme, ^^^'
or maist pairt thairof, and be nane vtheris ; and howeuer the said schip or
schipis hapnnes to be bocht be thame for the time, euery burgez of gild of
the said burgh to haue his pairt thairof, efferand to his estait of the same
price ; and quhat brother of gild refusis to tak his part of the said schip
or schipis, sua bocht as said is, for the commond veill, baith of guid and
evill proffeit and disproffeit, efferand to his estait, he being lawfullie re-
quirit thairto, sail tyne his fredome and all proffat he hes of the said burgh
frathinfurth, his refusale beyng provin and verefiit, and he conuikit thairof.
24th Juhj, 1545.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale, present for the tyme,
assignais David Marr and Mr. James Torre, thair lordis of Bonnacord,
the first freemanis compositioun siluer that hapnis to be maid within this
gud toun fra thin furtht within this burgh, at thair desir, and gettis and
producis the men thameself to be free men.
27th July, 1545.
The said day, the bailzeis, with avise and consent of the counsale and
nychtbouris present for the tyme, conducit and feit Sanderis Ratray thair
wache nychtlie, and he to find fine personis nychtlie with him to vaiche
thair blokhouise, linkis, and havin nychtlie, and to aduerteis the town as
tha se danger ; and siclik, to wait on the havin one day lycht, that na stran-
geres haue enteres thairat without licence of the bailzes. And the said
Alexr. accepit the same one him for ane moneth, he gettand guid paiment,
for the quhilkis the said Alexander sail haue himself nychtlie xij d., and
ilkane of the vther personis that vachis with him vj d., to be deliuerit to
thame nychtlie be the officiaris ; and als thai ordanit that thair be ane
port maid incontinent with all diligence on the south end of the brig of
Dee with tymmer, to be fast lokit in the nycht, and weill keipit one day
lycht, and euery nychtbour of the toun, of honest men, to gif xij d. thairto,
and sobir folkis to gif viij d., or sax d. at the leist ; and, in the mentyme,
quhill the said port be bigit, that thair be tua trew honest fellowis keipand
the same bayth day and nycht, and ilk ane of thame to haue for thair law-
bouris xij d. one the day and the nycht ; and siclik, that thair be wther twa
guid fellowis at the bow brig at the town end, keipand the same bayth day
2 F
222 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
27th July, and nycht ; and euery nychtbour and induellar the said burgh, bayth fre-
^**** men and vnfremen, to furneis the same ilkane as it curais about to thame,
and as thai be chargit be the officiaris in the bailzeis names ; and quhasa-
euer dissobeis in thair rowme, the officiar to pund thame, and tak tua penny-
worth of thair geir for ane d. to furneise the same ; and als tha ordand
Alexr. Ruderfurd, deyne of gild, to cause the Hamburght man sok the
gwne at the blokhouise sufficientlie with ane guid soun sok, one the townis
expensis ; and ordinis the said dene of gild to pay the same of the tounis
rediest mone he hes in his handis, or may get, with all diligence.
%th August^ 1545.
The said day, Andro Menzies, bailzie, deliuerit Gilbert Mar, and the laif
of the merchandis of the boyart, thair cundeit for thair saif passage in Flan-
deris, and ordinit thame to feche tua vnce of fyne brint siluer [ ] gudis
in the said schip, for the furnesing of the quenis grace and gouernouris ne-
cessaris, to be deliuerit to thair thesaurar, and he to deliuer thame or the
avale thairof agane ; and for the hame bringing heirof, Gilbert Mar, Johne
Menzeis, Robert Nicholsoun, Wm. Farquharsoun, and Dauid Low, oble-
git thame for thair avin partis for thame selffis ; and als Dauid Low come
souertie for Alexr. Eraser, John Jameson, and Henry Hay ; and John
Menzies com souertie for Johne Cargile ; and Gilbert Mar come souerte
for Wm. Garreaucht, that tha suld de siclik for thair partis ; and als Gil-
bert Mar oblegit him to bring hame with him ane attentik tykat of the
setting of the said gudis of the said haill schip, and how many sekis the
same extendis in the haill furthwart.
\Oth September i 1545.
The said day, the counsale, present for the tyme, convenit within the
counsale house of thair tolbuyth, considering the grit danger the tovnn now
apperandlie standis of this pest now ragand in certane partis of this realme,
and for euasioun of the same and schanging thairof, deuisis and ordinis that
the denis of gild sail deburse mone, be the sycht of the bailzies, to sustene
the suspect personis that ar inclusit, and hapnis to be inclusit, quhil Mon-
onday nixt cumis exclusiue ; and als ordinis four portis : that is to say, the
Gallowgait, Ouerkirkgaitt, and Nedderkirkgait, and Thewis portis to be
oppin allaherlie one the day lycht, and ane guid honest sufficient [man] to be
at euery ane of thame, to keip the same ; and tua siclike men to be ilk day
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 223
at the bow brig at the towne end to keip the same ; and sax siclik men to Wth Sept.,
wache the towne euery nicht, and to cum to the bailze of thair quarter and
resaue thair directioun, euery man in thair avin rovme, as thay be warnit
be the officiar ; and euery man, as he beis warnit in his rovme, to wache
and keip the portis himself, or ellis send ane sufficient man for him ; and
quhay that dissobeis to pay the mannis waige that hapnis to be feit in his
roume, and viij s. of vnlaw vnforgevin ; and at na keiparis of the portis res-
saue ony testimonialis ; hot quhen ony strangear cumis with testimoniale, to
cum and aduerteis the bailze that sic an strangear is at the port with testi-
moniale, and cloise the port quhill the bailze cum, and than that the bailze
ressaue or repell, as he will ansuer thairopoun ; and quhen the bailzies hes
ado concerning the townn, the nychtbouris to ryise as tha ar requyrit, and
concur with them for fortificatioun of tham in the executioun of the tovnis
besynes, vnder the pane of tinsale of thair fredome ; and alse ordinis the
deinys of gild to cause cloise all entres, vynnales, and passages, baith held
and vtheris quhar ony entres may be had in the towne by the forsaid four
portis, one the townis expenssis ; and ordinis the same to be alowit to thame
in thair nixt comptis.
llth September, 1545.
My lord prouest and bailzies of this noble burgh of Abirdene, to your
worschipis, humelie menis and complanis, I, your nychtbour and seruand,
Thomas Branche, burges of the said burgh, vpon Johnne Arthour, induel-
lar in Leyth, and now presentlie in this guid townn : That quhar be the
space of twenty dais bygane, or thairby, the said John Arthour come to
my houise in Abirdene, and thair maid conditioun with me anent the ran-
soum of ane Inglisman presoner, callit John William, now beand in my
possessioun in this towne, for the said Johnnis ransoum in maner efter fol-
lowing : that is to say, how mekle or quhat sowme of mone the said John
William war content to pay to me for his ransoum, the said John Arthour
oblegit him faythfullie to pay me the same in penny and penny worth instant-
lie on the said Johne Willeamis behalf ; and thar efter, the said John Wil-
liam conuenit and agreit with me for five lib. stirveling mone for his ran-
soum, and his expenssis maid and to be maid sene the tyme of his cumyng
to Abirdene one to his departing fra me, to be payit to me with the said
five lib. stirveling. Nochtwithstanding the said John Arthour postponis
224 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
11th Sept, and deferris to pay the said soume, with the expenssis afor exprimit, wrang-
^ uslie and aganis the law, to my hawy damnage and skayth, and aganis
iustice. Beseiking your worschipis for remeid heirof, and to cause and
compell the said Johne Arthour to pay me the sowmes aboun writin, sa far
as the said John will grant, or I ma sufficientlie preife, conforme to iustice ;
and your w[ ] ansuer agane heirwpoun humelie I beseik ; and this my
petitioun to haue the strinth of ane borgh, gif neid beis.
I6th September, 1545.
The said day, in the terme assignit to John Arthur to answer to the
petitioun and clame of Tomas Branche, tuching the clame of five lib.
stirveling mone, clamit at him be the said Thomas, for the ransoum of
John William, Ingliss man, presoner, as in the said Thomas clame is con-
tenit at mair lynth, the said John denyit the same, and thaireftir is maid
quit tharof and absoluit fray the said Thomas clame ; and that is gevin for
doome be the mouth of Thomas Blair, denipster of the court for the tyme ;
and the said John protestit for his expenssis and skaythis sustenit be him
in the said mater, becaus the said Thomas hes provin na thing one him.
2c? November, 1545.
The said day, the bailzies, with the avise of the men of guid of this guid
town, present for the tyme, conducit and feit Sande Tailzeour to keip the
brig of Dee, that na suspect personis of the contagius pest haue enteres
thairat, to enter ilk day at v houris in the morning and remaine continualy
thairat quhill vi houris at evin, and to haue thairfoir ilk day viij d. ; quhilk
Alexander accepit the said mater on him, and oblegit him faythfullie to
keip the same lelilie and treulie, and this keiping to indur during the
bailzies will, and to enter thairto this instant day.
The said day, the bailzies, with auise of the nychtbouris present for the
tyme, thocht expedient and ordinit that thair be ane precept of the locum-
tenentis rasit, chargeand all nychtbouris, fremen of this guid town, that ar
passit of the towne, to returne agane to the same, and to remane to skot
and lott with thair nychtbouris be thameselffis, or elUs cans ane nychtbour
answeir for thair duyte in thair rovme, as it fallis within vj dais, vnder the
paine of horning.
OF THE BTJRGH OF ABEBDEEN. 225
I9th February f 1546. l9thFebruary,
The said day, the bailzeis assignit Mononday nixt efter the law day efter ^^^^•
Pasche nixt cumis, gif it be lauchtfuU, and failzeing thairof the nixt lauch-
fuU day thaireftir, to the prioir and conuent of the freris predicatouris of
the said burgh, to exhibeit and produce afor thame peremptourlie in iug-
ment thair rychtis, gif ony they haue, quhy tha aucht not to cum to the
townis millis within the burgh with thair cornis that grovis vpon thair
croftis, lyand on the north est syid of the said burgh, and pay thair mul-
turis thairfor, as wther nychtbouris dois, at the instance of John Brabaner,
takisman of the said millis persevand the same, with intiraatioun and tha
produce na thing therfor to evaid the same, the said day, thai will decerne
thame simpliciter to feche thair said cornis to the said millis, and grynd
thame thairat, and pay multuris thairfor, as wther nychtbouris dois, con-
forme to the statut of the guid tovn maid thairvpoun, in presens of the
the said priour and freir John Myln, desirand the same in name of the
said freris.
1th March, 1546.
Vniuersis et singulis ad quorum noticias presentes litere peruenerint
Gilbertus Menzies Alexr. Rudirfurd et Dauid Andersoun tres balliuorum
burgi de Abirdene in Scotia situati salutem in eo qui est omnium vera
salus Cum pium sit et meretorium fidele testimonium perhibere veritati
ne ipsius occultatio enotendo preiudicium generet hinc est quod nos bal-
liui antedicti tenore presentium attestamur et fidem facimus per presentes
quod quedam nauis Gallicana de Deip vocata ly Katherine cuius sub deo
rector Carolus Michell vocitatur surrepta et capta fuit per Anglos ex aquis
nostris de Abirdene decimo octauo die mensis Decembris anno Domini
millesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo sexto et per eosdem abducta et ad
certum tempus possessa fuerat Et quod tandem Willelmus RoUand senior
noster convicinus burgensis et sui complicis et dictus Carolus Michell
quandam nauem Flemingorum oppidi de Stissing infra porticum nostrum
Abirdonensem pro tempore existentem ad manus proprias attextarunt
et prefatos Anglos maretenus prosequebantur et prefatara nauem Galli-
canum cum bonis eiusdera de nauibus dictorum An":lorum vidontibus nobis
recuperarunt Que quedam nauis Flemingorum post recupcrationem me-
morata nauis Gallicane infortuna et aeris tempestate suam anchoram
amisit et illius occasione super arenis usque terram aridam apud New-
226 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
7th March, burgh prope burgum nostrum de Abirdene violentia transportata fuerat
1^*^ et ibidem diu remansit et baud minimis sumptibus et expensis saluata et
vsque porticum nostrum Aberdonense reducta fuit Quamobrem dicta
nauis Gallicana cum vniuersis Gallorum bonis in eadem pro tempore ex-
istentibus ad instantiam dicti Villelmi Rolland et suorum complicium nec-
non magni admorelli regni nostri Scotie arrestata fuit semper et quousque
prefatus Carolus sufficientem cautionem ad respondendum et parendum
eidem Villelmo et suis complicibus pro huiusmodi naue et bonis Gallorum
in eadem pro tempore existentibus ut de iure tenetur pro recuperacione
eiusdem de nauibus dictorum Anglorum prestaret vnacum dampnis et ex-
pensis factis et sustinendis super dicta naue Flemingorum et bonis eiusdem
qui huiusmodi nauem Gallicanam de nauibus dictorum Anglorum recu-
perauit et vlterius ad respondendum ad instanciam dicti magni admirelli
regni nostri in premissis ut iura volunt Quequidem Carolus huiusmodi
cautionem prestare nequiuerat et illius occasione dicta nauis Gallicana cum
bonis Gallorum eiusdem sub prefata arrestatione diu remansit et bona
Gallorum eiusdem in custodia dicti Villelmi Rolland et officiarium dicti
nostri burgi Abirdonensis permanserunt Et lis in premissis inter pre-
dictas partes continuauit et prefatus Carolus ad supremum nostrum gu-
bernatorem necnon ad dictum magnum regni nostri admirellum prerais-
sorum occasione accessit et literas dicti magni nostri admirelli eidem Vil-
lelmo Rolland pro appunctuamento cum prefato Carolo in premissis repor-
tauit Et tandem premissis ad longum tempus in lite inter dictas partes
pendentibus prefate partes viz. dictus Villelmus Rolland pro se et nomine
suorum complicium et prefatus Carolus Michell pro se et nomine suorum
marenellorum et prefate nauis Gallicane et bonorum Gallorum eiusdem
possessorum quorumcunque mediantibus auisamento et consultatione hono-
rabilium virorum viz. Thome Menzies prepositi de Abirdene Roberto
Myln prepositi de Dunde Villelmi Andersoun burgensis de Edinburgh
et nonnuUorum aliorum comburgensium burgi nostri de Abirdene penes
clameum dicti Villelmi Rolland et suorum complicium prefate nauis Galli-
cane et bonorum Gallorum in eadem pro tempore existentium per dictum
Villelmum et suos complices de nauibus dictorum Anglorum ut premittitur
recuperatorum et pro dampnis dicte nauis Flemingorum et expensis super
eadem et bonis eiusdem et suis marenellis factis dictum Carolum et suos
complices prefatos concernentibus quantum eisdem in premissis incumbit
Et notanter occasione et mandato dictarum literarum prefati magni nostri
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 227
admirelli finaliter appunctuanint et concordarunt in hunc qui sequitur 7th March,
modum viz. dictus Carolus Michell pro se et nomine suorura complicium ^•^^^•
marenellorum et prefate nauis Gallicane et bonorum Gallorum eiusdem
possessorum quorumcunque soluet eidem Villelmo Rolland et suis com-
plicibus summam centum et viginti quinque scutorum anneorum de sole
iusti ponderis aut eorundem verum valorem pro manibus ad suum recessum
ex opido Abirdonensi Quamobrem dictus Villelmus Rolland pro se et
suis complicibus antedictis exonerabit dictum Carolum et suos complices
superius expressatos de eorundem integro clameo dicte nauis Gallicane
et singulorum bonorum Gallorum eiusdem imperpetuum Et idem Vil-
lelmus Rolland preseruabit eundem Carolum et suos complices antedictos
indempnes ad manus omnium Flemingorum possessorum memorate nauis
et bonorum eiusdem et aliorura omnium interesse habentium de omnibus
dampnis et expensis dicte nauis Flemingorum et bonorum eiusdem Et
dictus Carolus habebit naulum integrorum bonorum Scotorum in memo-
rata naui Gallicana existentium et in eadem in opido de Deip cartatorum
et vsque porticum Abirdonense in eadem transportatorum et huiusmodi
naulum per manus dicti Villelmi Rolland et nullius alterius percipiet aut
saltem eidem Villelmo in partem solutionis summe suprascripte pro pre-
missis locabit Prouiso tamen quod dictus Carolus et eius nauis scriba
iustum inuentarium integrorum bonorum Scotorum in dicta naui Gallicana
in oppido de Deip in huiusmodi naue cartatorum ac iustum compotum deli"'*
eorundem mediis eorum juramentis eidem Willelmo Rolland deliberabunt
ad effectum quod praefatus Willelmus ratiocinium et compotum de eisdeni
habere poterit Et dictus Willelmus Rolland obligauit se corpusque suum
et bona sua ad preseruandum dictum Carolum et complices suos ante-
dictos indempnes de premissis ad manus omnium Scotorum et Flemin-
gorum interesse habentium Et similiter dictus Carolus obligauit se cor-
pusque suum et bona sua omnia ad preseruandum et indempnes seruandum
dictum Villielmum Rolland et suos complices antedictos de premissis ad
manus omnium Gallorum in premissis interesse habentium imperpetuum
Quodquidem appunctuamentum prefatus Willelmus et Carolus pro seipsis
et suis complicibus antedictis obligarunt seipsos hinc inde fide media in
omnibus suis punctis et partibus ut premittitur prout singulis eorum in-
cumbit tempore confectionis memorati appunctuamenti inuiolabiliter ob-
seruare Tandem prefatus Willelmus Rolland pro se et suis complicibus
antedictis Et dictus Carolus et Johannes Durant Johannes Dumefuill
228 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
7th March, Martinus Pitart Michaell Prennet et Johannes le Cok marenelli dicte
154a nauis pro seipsis et eorum complicibus possessoribus dicte nauis Gallicane
et Gallorum bonorum eiusdem quorumcunque coraparuerunt coram nobis
in pretorio dicti burgi nostri de Abirdene pro tribunali sedentibus septimo
die mensis Martii anno Domini millesimo quingentesirao quadragesimo sexto
et ibidem suprascriptum appunctuamentum in omnibus suis punctis et
partibus ratificarunt et approbarunt et idem in nostre curie libris inseri
sumptibus eorum petierunt Postremo dictus Willelmus RoUand pro se
et nomine suorum complicium antedictorum fatebatur judicialiter coram
nobis ut premittitur sedentibus se recepisse per manus dicti Caroli Michell
suprascriptam summam centum et viginti quinque scutorum aureorum de
sole iusti ponderis superius expressatorum pro causis superius specificatis
Et exonerauit eundem Carolum et suos complices antedictos pro se et suis
complicibus memoratis et similiter de suo et suorum complicium clameo
dicte nauis Gallicane et bonorum Gallorum eiusdem pure et simpliciter
imperpetuum Super quibus prefate partes nostras literas testimoniales
in premissis hinc inde humiliter petierunt quas eosdem benigne concessimus
et sub nostri sigilli ad causas testimonio muniendas annuimus A pud
dictum burgum nostrum de Abirdene septimo die mensis Martii anno Do-
mini millesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo sexto secundum cursum et
computationem ecclesie nostre Scoticane.
I9th March, 1546.
The said day, Maister Jerome Chene, and James Chene, his broder,
war accusit in iugment be the bailzeis, in name of the haill toune, for the
strublance of this guid towne and bluid dravin, committit be thame within
the same and fredome thairof, tha beyng dotit with priuilege of bluidweik
and vnlaw thairof, and askit tham to deny or grant; and the said Maister
Jerome and James allegit that tha aucht not to ansuer in this court, nor
yit the bailzeis ar nocht iugis competent to tham, becaus tha ar clerkis and
within ordouris, and l>e that priuilege is nocht astrikit to ansueir bot afor
thair iuge ordinar. Nochttheles, vnder protestatioun, that it be nocht
preiudiciale to thame nor thair priuilege, desirit ane lauchfuU day, and tha
suld ansuer in the said matter as law vald ; and the bailzeis decernit that
thai aucht nocht to haue ane day to ansuyr in the said mater, becaus the
bluid wes recently committit within ane priuilegit towne, and the actioun
is priuilegit in the self, and the commond practik and consuetud of this
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 229
town in sic casis, in all tymes bygane, wes and is, that the committer of sic I9th March,
recent crimes of bluid wes instantly, but postposition, causit ansuir for ^®^'
his ofFensis, and thairfor chargit the said Maister Jerome and James, be
John Crag, thair officiar, to consult with thair procutouris, James Ogilwy
and Maister Thomas Annand, and wtheris, thair freyndis now present, and
to deny or grant the said cryme. And because the saidis Maisteris Jerome
and James wald nather deny nor grant, beand oft and syndry tymes chargit
thairto be the said officiar, bot contempnandly refuisit and dissobeyit the
said charge, the said officiar brak his vand of office vpoun the said Maister
Jerome and James, and tha war instantly convikit for the makin of the said
deforciament, and contemptioun of the bailzeis and officeris in executioun
of thair office, and chargit to remaine in vard, quhill tha set cautioun for
the vnlaw of deforciament with all that may follow thairupoun ; and for to
compeir on Mononday nixt cumis, to ansuer for the said cryme of bluid
committit be tham, at the townis instance, as law vill ; and als to ansuer at
the instance of party for the said bluid, quhen and quhair it sail pleis him
persew the same ; and forder, that this guid towne and all the inhabitantis
thairof salbe harmles and skaythles of thame, and all that tha may let in
tyme cumyng, bot as law vill. And thairefter, Robert Cullane and John
Chene become cautioneris, souerteis, and lauboris, coniunctly, for the said
Maister Jerome and James, in forme and maner forsaid, and for all poyntis,
as is aboun writin, and the said Maister Jerome and James oblegit thame
to releif thair said souerteis.
21 5^ March, 1546.
The said day, the bailzeis forsaid, for thameselffis and in name of the
hail towne of Abirdene, and Alexr. Ratray for himself, be Thomas
Menzies of Petfoddellis, oblesand for him de rato, and Amrouse Tailzeour
for him self one that ane part, and Maister Jerome Chene, and James
Chene, his brother, on that wther pairt, ar compromittit in iugment to
stand and abid at the decreit and ordinance of thir personis vnderwritin, that
is to say, Maister John Gordoun, Mr Robert Lummisden, Gilbert Menzies,
bailzie, and William Rolland elder, or ony tua of thame, for the part of the
said towne of Abirdene, Alexr. Ratray, and Amroise Tailzeour ; and
James Gordoun of Methlik, Thomas Chene, zoung lard of Essilmont, Alexr.
Chene of Stralocht, and John Chene of Arnage, or any tua of thame, for
the part of the saidis Maisteris Jerome and James, with avise counsale of
2 G
230 EXTRACTS FBOM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
2l»t March. Thomas Menzeis of Petfoddellis, odman and ouerman, equaly nemmit and
* chosin be bayth the saidis pairtiis, tuching the bluid dravin of the said
Alexr. Ratray, done and maid be the saidis Maisteris Jerome and James
the xix day of Marche instant, within the said burgh, and the strublance of
thame be the said Alexr., and the strublance of the said towne be the
saidis Maisteris Jerome and James thairthrow, and deforsing of John Crag,
officiar in iugment, and dissobeing of the bailzeis charge in iugraent, sa
far as concernis the townn, and sa far as tha may proceid thairupoun be
thair auctoritie ; and tuching the hurting and bluid draving of the said
Amrouse Tailzeour, and mutilation of him of his left hand, allegit done be
the said Maister Jerome the xiij day of Aprile, the yeir of God ane thousand
five hundreth fourty five yeris, vnder silence of nycht, in the quenis grace
and tovnis vache, and the vrang done to the said towne thairthrow ; and
tuching all wther actionis and querelis that ather of the saidis pairtiis hes to
say to wtheris, afor the day and dait herof. Quhilk pairtiis, with tua of
the four arbiteris forsaid for ilk pairty, with the odman abounwrittin, sail
conuein in the grey freris of Abirdene, the secund day of Aprile nixt cumis,
at tene houris afor novne, and accept the said materis on thame, and be
some thairto, and to cognosce thairintill, and finaly to gif furth thair de-
ereit and ordinance thairintill that same day or the sone ganging to, with
full powar to the said arbiteris to prorogat thair decreit and ordinance to
quhatsumeuer wther day or dais as thai sail think expedient ; and for the
obseruing, fulfilling, and keiping of all and sindry the premisses, ilkane for
thair avin part, ather of the said pairtyis, viz. the saidis Maister Jerome
and James and Araroise, for thame selffis, present in iugment, and the
bailzeis forsaid for the said towne, and the said Thomas Menzeis for the
said Alexr. Ratray, oblesand him de rate, in name of the said Alexr., as
said is, ar some the grit ayth in iugment, but appellatioun, reuocatioun, or
reclamatioun ; and forder, Robert Cullane is becumin cautioun for the
saidis Maisteris Jerome and James, that tha sail keip the day aboun
writtin, with tua of the arbiteris nemmit be tham, and als sail vnderly ful-
fill and keip the decreit and deliuerance of the said arbiteris and ouerman,
how euer tha deliuer in the premisses, and the said Thomas Menzies
cautioun for the said Alexr. Ratray that he sail do the same ; and forder,
the said Robert Cullane is becummin lawbouris for the saidis Maisteris
Jerome and James, that the said Alexr. Ratray salbe skaythles of thame
and all that tha lett in tymes cuming, hot as law vill, and Thomas Menzeis
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN 231
is becumin lawbouris for Alexr Ratray, that the saidis Maisteris Jerome 2i8t March,
and James sal be skaythles of him and all that he may lett in tymes cum- ^^^*
yng, hot as law vill ; and the said Maister Jerome and James oblegit thame
to releife the said Robert, on the quhilkis bayth the saidis pairtyis tuik act
of court and instrumentis afor thir vitnes, Maister John Bell, Maister
James Torre, John Malisoun, and Maister John Kennedy.
The said day, the counsale ordinis the haill gudis and geir beand in
Alexr. Scottis houiss to be clengit, and he to remaine cloise in quhill it be
clengit ; and his broderis sone to be sene be the officiaris nakit, gif he hes
or bed the pest ; and gif it beis fundin that he hes or bed the pest, he to be
expellit the towne, and to be punnest for conceling thairof ; and the weraen
that hes brokin commond ordinance to be put to the linkis ; and the vomau
vnder the stair to be inclusit, because of hir repair to the said Alexr. but
licence, and his voman to remain with him self, vnder the pain of birning of
his cheik.
2Ath March, 1546.
The said day, the haill townn being varnit be thair hand bell, and con-
venit for the maist pairt, representand the haill body of the townn, con-
sentit that Alexr. Ratray, thair gunnar, suld be pait for his lawbouris by-
gane, conforme to promise maid to him the tyme he was conducit ; and als
war content that the counsale deuisit and prouidit quharwith he suld be
pait quhairintill and quhat sort, oblesand thame to hald ferme and stabill
quhat the counsale did thairintill.
25th March, 1546.
The said day, the counsale, present for the tyme, consentit, all in ane
voce, that Maister Hew Monro, maister of the grammar skuilhill of the
said burgh, haue guid and thankfuU paiment of the tovnn of his yeirly pen-
tioun of tene merkis Scottis mone, conforme to the act maid thairupoun
obefoir, sa lang as he remanis continevaly and techis in the said skuilhill as
he aucht and suld do of ressoun. And als that euery honest man, freman
within the said burgh, baith merchandis and craftismen, ressaue him and
the bischop at Sanct Nicholace mess within thair houissis, conforme to the
auld lovabill vse of the said burgh, and gif him thair wagis of the auld
maner, eflFerand to thair estatis, as tha think expedient. And gif ony
232 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
25th March, honest man, merchand or craftisman, that ma guidly gif his wagis, ressauis
^^*®- him nocht and the bischop at the same tyme, that he sail eomplane on the
dissobeyaris to the bailzeis that hapnis to be in office for the tyme, and tha
to cans him to haue his duyte of thame, be the avise of the consale, con-
forme to the auld vse of this said burgh.
12M April, 1546.
The said day, it was deuisit and ordinit be the haill counsall, present for
the tyme, considdering the grit danger the town now apperandly standis
intill in this trubluss time of weir, be our aid ennimeis of Ingland, that all
nychtbouris thairof, bayth merchandis and craftismen, that ar now without
the town, reteir thameselffis, viffis, and houshaldis within the same, within
ix dais, for walkin, and warding, and bering of wther chargis necessar,
and defense of the same, vnder the pane of tinsale of thair fredovmes, and
all takis and proffitis tha haue of the townne ; and ordinit oppin procla-
raatioun to be maid heirupoun at the merkat corce of the said burgh ....
\^th April, 1546.
I, Nicholace Reaule, capitane of ane schip of Deip callit the Litill
[ ], grantis me to haue ressauit be the handis of ane honorabill man,
Thomas Menzeis of Petfoddellis, full contentatioun and thankful! paiment
of the haill charge and laiding of tua Ingliss prysis takin be me and my com-
plices, and sellit to the said Thomas laidnit with quhit, malt, and aittis, ex-
tending in the haill to ane hundreth tua bollis of quhit, tua hundreth saxtene
bollis of malt, and twenty sax bollis of aittis, of the quhilk I grant me veill
content and pait, and quitclames and discharges the said Thomas, and
the toun and inhabitantis of Abirdene, and all wtheris whom it efferis
thairof, be thir presentis, for now and euer, be this my acquittance sub-
scriuit with my hand, at Abirdene the xvii day of Aprile, the yeir of God
ane thousand five hundreth fourty sax yeris ; and forder is content that
this my acquitance be insert in the commond buikis of the toun of Abir-
dene, and haue the strenth of ane act tharof, befor thir witnes, Wm. An-
dersoun, John Malysoun, burgessis of Abirdene, Maister Johne Michel-
soun and Maister John Kennedy, notaris publik, with wtheris diuerse.
\9th April, 1546.
The said day, it is deuisit and ordinit be the bailzeis and counsale pre-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 233
sent for the tyme, in presens of the haill baxsteris of the said burgh, warnit i9th April,
herto, havand consideratioun and respect to the prisis of quhytis bocht be ^^^'
the said baxsteris, bayth of Scottis quhit, and als of the quhittis tha gat
of the tua Inglis prysis laitly, of the same price it was cost be the tounn,
all preheid togidder, that the said baxsteris sail baik xiij vnces of guid
clene and weill bakin breid of quhit, for tua pennies at the lest, and quha-
saeuer dois in the contrar, and beis conuict thairof, the haill breid fundin
with him for the time to be escheit and destrinit, be the avise of the bailzeis
and counsale as tha think expedient for the time, without ony request to
be hard in the contrar ; and this ordinance to indur ay and quhill it be dis-
soluit be the bailzeis and counsale.
9th May, 1546.
I, Willeame Mwirhead, ane of the bailzies of Edinburgh, and coUectour
deput be the prouest, bailzes, counsale, and communite of the said burgh,
for the gaddering and ressaving of the taxt avancit be the said provest and
bailzeis, of the sowme of j™ frankis, ilk frank xii s., for the furnessing of
the ambassiatour that passis to the emperour in Flanderis be Franche, for
the comprehencioun of this realme and lieges thairof, in the pece takin be-
tuix the king of France and the emperour, as at mair lynth is contenit in
our souerane ladyis letteris direct to Peter Thomson, alias Buit pursephant,
thairupon, be the tenour heirof gevis and grantis to the said Peter my
full power to ressaue the taxt of thir burrowis vnderwrittin : that is to say,
Stirling, Linlythquhow, Abirdene, Dunde, Perth, Banf, Dunfermling,
Caraill, Forfar, Breching, Montrose, Elgin, Inuernes, Abirbrothok, Sunct-
androis, Cowper, Cullane, Fores, Name, Thain, Dysart, Kirkcaldy, ilk
burgh for thair avin pairt and sowme, as is contenit in our souerane ladyis
letteris ; and the said Peter to gif his acquittance of his ressait of the taxt
of ilk burgh, quhilk acquittance salbe als sufficient discharge to thame as
and tha had my avin discharge or acquittance, becaus the tym is schort,
and grit relief to euery burgh of expensis ; and quhen euer ony of the
said burrowis bringis or sendis to me the said acquitance of the receipt of
the said taxt, I, be the tenour heirof, oblegis me to gif to thame, or ony
of tharae, my avin acquittance, be this my full powar and charge, subscriuit
with my hand, at Edinburgh the penult day of A])rile, the yeir of God
j™ v*= and fourty five yeiris, befor thir vitnes, Patnk Barroun of Spitalfeild,
234 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
9th May, William Craik, and William Car, bailzeis of Edinburgh, with wther
^**^ diuerse.
My lord prouest and baizes of this guid towne of Aberdene, onto your
1[ ], humelie menis and complenis, I, Gilbert Mar, burges of the
said burgh, vpon James Melvin, Andro Durty, Walter Reid, and Cor-
nelius Potter, now beyng apprehendit afor your lordschipis, within ane
towne of iustice, that vpon the xxvij day of Aprile last bypast, in the yeir
of God ane thousand v<= xlvj yeris, I, beand vpoun the se, for feir of our
ennimeis of Ingland, put in ane schip boit thir gudis vnderwrittin, per-
tening to me as my avin proper geir : that is to say, ane cloik, worth tene
lib. Scottis, ane freise clock, worth five pundis, four sarkis of Holand
lynning, vorth iiij lib., ane ledderane coit, worth tua crovnis of the sone,
ane Flemis ell of welwet, cost xi s. grit, xlij Flemis ell of sandeill, the
price sax lib., and ane stik of colyne silk for beltis and gartanis, the price
viij s. grit ; in. the quhilk boit thare war present the personis aboun writin,
quhom I direkit to keip my said claise and gudis aboune writtin, and to
bring thame in Scotland, how sone tha hapnit to cum hayme thame selffis,
vpoun my expenssis, with the quhilkis claise and geir pertening to me
aboun writin tha intromettit with, and in part of thair expensis I deliuerit
to Jame Andersoun alias Cockcall, ane croun of the sone, and tua grottis,
in name of the persounis aboun writin. Neuertheles the forsaid James,
Andro, Walter, and Cornelius, vrangusly, and aganis the law, postponis,
refusis, and deferris to deliuer me my said claise and geir aboun exprimit,
howbeit tha intrometit thairwith, and tha ar cumm saiflie thameselffis in
Scotland, albeit I haue requirit thame diueris tymes tharfor, nor yet in-
tendis to do, without tha be compellit : beseiking heirfor your 1[ ],
prouest and baikeis forsaid, to decerne and compel be iustice James Mel-
win, &c.
I8th May, 1546.
The said day, the counsale present for the tyme, deuisit and ordinit the
bailzeis, and certane of the counsale with thame, to pas this day at tua
eftemoone to the kirk yard, and thair exerce and vesy all the begaris
within this burgh, and considder quhay is natiue within the toune, and
quhay nocht, and sa mony as tha find natiue, and admittis, to gif thame
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 235
the tounis takyn, as tha sail think expedient ; and ordinit all wther begaris isth May,
to be chargit to dewoid the towne within twenty four hours nixt efter thair ^^^•
charge, vnder the pane of laying of ane bait irne on their cheik, and quhay
that dissobeis, the said xxiiij houris being passit, the said pane to be ex-
ecut on tharae ; and als ordinit dekynnis to be chosin for giding and
rewling of the said begaris efteruart, as salbe deuisit be the counsale, and
als ordinit that all personis within this townn, havand ony landis and
houssis to sett, that tha sett nane in tymraes cuming to na maner of per-
sonis, but to tham that tha answer for as sufficient nychtbouris ; and gif
ony of the said tenentis committis ony crymes of resetting of geir, or vn-
lauchfull personis, the ownaris of the said landis to ansuer tharfor, sa far
as tha ar insufficient tenentis ; and ordinis oppin proclamatioun to be maid
heirwpoun at the raercat corce in generale, and als the hand bell to pas
throw the townn thairwpoun.
24ifA May, 1546.
The said day, the baillies requirit and solistit all the nychtbouris of this
guid townn that bes nocht cumin at Pasche to thair vicar, for paying of
thair dwety, conforme to the auld louabill vse of this guid toun, lykas
thai haif requestit the saidis nychtbouris thairto obefor, that thai cum to
the said vicar and pay thair said dwety, within xlviij houris, sua that he haf
na cause to complane on thame in spirituall court ; and failzeing therof,
the bailzeis ar content, and ordanit the said vicar to persew the saidis per-
sonis that lyis avak in contemptioun afor the spirituall jurisdiction, and
thai sell assist and concur with him towart the persute of them ; on the
quhilk he tuk act of court.
1*^ June, 1546.
My lord prouest and bailzeis of this nobill burgh of Abirdene, vnto your
1[ ] humelie menis and complenis, I, your 1[ ] seruitour,
Thomas Philpson, burges of the said burgh, vpoun Gilbert Tulidef and
Thomas Myln, comburgessis of the same burgh, that quhair, in the moneth
of May, in the yeir of God j" v'^ xliiij yeris, at my departing of this town
of Abirdene to Danskin, in Pattonis schip of Dunde, I left and committit
to the said Gilbert and Thomas my mandament and full powar to intromet
with all and sindry gudis, movabill and vnmovabill, pertening or richtuus
mycht pertene to me, and dettis that was avand to me in the cuntra be ony
236 EXTRACTS FEOM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
i8t June, maner of persoun or personis, and maid and constitut thame my procutouris
1546. g^jj^ factouris, till ouptak, intromet, and ressaue the same to my vtilite and
proffeit. And the saidis Gilbert and Thomas, be ressoun forsaid, intro-
metit, ouptuik, and ressauit thir gudis, geir, dettis, and sowmes of mone
vnder writtin, that was in my houise and buyth within the said burgh of
Abirdene, and ressauit thir dettis fray the creditours vnderwrittin, sen my
departing in the said moneth of May. In the first, the said Thomas Myln,
be himself and wtheris of his name, of his causing, command, assistance,
and ratificatioun, the xi day of May, or thairby, in the yeir of God j™ v<=
xliiij yeris, ressauit furth of my buyth thir gudis efter following : Thre
dosoun hemp, price dosoun xxiiij s. ; item, thre dosoun silkin poyntis, the
price of the dosoun ij s. ; item, any grit buyst, and certane kemmis, wor-
settis, spectikyllis, and wther small geir in it, worth xl s. ; item, five dosoun
vj worset poyntis, price dosoun viij d.; item, ane lib. half ane quarter of
ane pinch of quhit wax, the price v s. ; item, xv ellis half ell of Scottis wor-
settis, price ell vi d. ; item, iiij caise of kemmis, the price of the caise
xviij d. ; item, viij bykyris, the price of the pece, iij d. ; item, ane dosoun of
arrowhedis, the price ij s. ; item, ane pakin creill lokit, with certane mer-
chand geir in it, worth xl s. ; item, ane wther pakin creill, worth xviij d. ;
item, ane vob of tartane, contenand x ellis, the price of ell iiij s. ; item, ane
pece of new tow that wes in ane kist contenand vij fawdoum, the price of
the fawdoum viij d. ; item, ane denis aix, the price vi s. viij d. ; item, vi
pekis of small salt, the price of the pek, xii d. Item, the xxii day of Junij,
or thairby, the yeir forsaid, the said Thomas Myln ressauit furth of ray
buyth of my howse in the Gallogat thir gudis vndirwritin, viz. : ane dow-
blet of new blak chamlet, the price, 1 s. ; item, tua Marekyne cotis, ane
reid, the price, xx s., ane wther blak, the price, x s. ; item, ane pair of
dobbill blankatis, the price, vj s. viij d. ; item, ane blankat of tartane, the
price, iij s. ; item, ane hewin aix, the price, ij s. ; item, ane burdclayth, the
price, XXX d. Item, the said Gilbert Tulidef be himself, his seruandis and
complices, in his name, of his causing, and command, the said xxij day of
Junij or thairby, intrometit and ressauit furth of my said buyth thir gudis
efter following : that is to say, ane stuf sak, the price, xviij s. ; ane kna-
piscaw, the price xiiij s. ; item, ane blak bonnat, the price, xij s. ; item, ane
feirkin, with certane saip restand in it, extending to iij dousoun, the price
dousoun, xxxij s. ; item, ane irne pot, the price, x s. ; item, viij pekis small
salt, the price pek, xij d. ; item, xix wemen schetis, the price of the pece.
OF THE BURGH OF ABEBDEEN. 237
vj d. ; item, ane stik of tartane contenand xxiij ellis, the p rice of the ell, 1st June,
xl d. ; item, ane stik of hardin contenand xviij ellis, the price of the ell, ^^^'
xviij d. ; item, ane throcht lok, the price, xl d. ; item, thre ryme of paper,
the price of the ryme, xx s. Attour the said Gilbert and Thomas intro-
mettit and ressauit furth of my said buythis and houissis thir guidis and
merchandreis eftir following sen the moneth of May aboun writin, or my
returning to Aberdene agane : that is to say, xi dosoun vj schetis, the
price dosoun, vj s. ; item, ix pennaris, the price, vj d. ; item, xviij quair
of paper, the price of the quair, xx d. ; item, iij ellis of small quhit, the
price of the ell, iij s. ; ane pair of gray hoise, the price, x s. ; item, vii
pursis, the price of the pece, vj d. ; item, vij bagis, the price pece, viij d. ;
item, xvj small pursis, the price pece, iij d. ; item ane knapschaw bonat,
with ane wther bonnat, price of the pece, xl d. ; item, ane clut of nedillis,
the price, viij s. ; item, vj blak hattis, the price of the pece, ij s. ; item, tua
blew hattis, the price of the pece, v s. ; item, ane blak thrumit hat, the
price, viij s. ; item, tua ellis thre quarteris of narrow blak, the price of the
ell, viij s. ; item, ane pair of tailzeour scheris, the price, ij s. vj d. ; item,
tua irne handis of ane caddroun, the price vj s. viij d. ; item, xviij ellis of
blak bukrame, the price of the ell, v s. ; item, thre quarteris of reid buk-
rame, the price iiij s. ; item, iij bykniffis, the price of the pece, viij ,d. ;
item, iij scheip skynnis, the price of the pece, ij s. ; item, vj pair of glassis,
the price of the pair, vj d. ; item, half ane gross of poyntis, the price,
xviij d. ; item vj quartaris of grit carsay, the price, vj s. ; item, ij ellis of
colour the kersey, the price of the ell, x s. ; item, half ane cow hide, the
price, viij s. ; item, ane bow, the price, v s. ; item, ane fut spaid, the
price, ii s. ; item, ane schwill, the price viij d. ; item, ane wallett of ledder,
the price, xvj d. ; item, ane pair of small ballandis, the price, v s. ; item,
ane pair of butis, the price, v s. ; item, thre boUis iij pekis of small salt,
the price of the boll, xvj s. ; item, vj pece of pewter veschell, the price,
X s. ; item, twa twin poyntis that Thomas Myln intromcttit with, the price
of the pece, viij s. ; item, ane twin quart, the price xii s., and ane twin
poynt, the price viij s., that the said Gilbert intromettit with ; item, tua
twyse pundis half pund of brass, the price viii s. ; item, ane grit burd,
the price, iij lib. ; item, ane pair of pepper quernis, the price, xii d. ;
item, V pece of leddin pundis, the price of the pece, viij d. ; item, ane
litill lok, the price, xii d. ; item, ane pair of bouUis, the price, xii d. ;
item, ane grit chandelar, the price, xx s. ; half ane twine barrell, the
2 H
238 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
ist June, price, ii s. ; item, ane lang sadill bed of aik, the price, iij lib. ; item, ane
cheir of aik, xviij s. ; item, ane new press, the price, xviij s. ; item,
ean veschell bynk, the price, viij s. ; item, iij pair of blak spurris of
the Franche fasoun, the price of the pair, iij s. ; item, ane compter
clayth, price x s. Item, the said Gilbert and Thomas ressauit thir
sowmes and dettis vnder writtin in my name, fra diuerse my credi-
touris that war avand me the same, viz. : fra Andro Crawfurd yovnger,
as souertie for John Menzies, xxx s. for tua ellis blak ; item, fra Rob
Crag, laxfischar, half ane barrell of salmond, the price, xl s. ; item, fra
Sande Fergussoun, xlvj s. ; item, fra Eduard Robertsoun, for maill of my
house in the Gallowgait, xxxii s. ; item, fra Sande Still in Murcour, xii s.
for ane blak bonat ; item, fray Edward Brow, for ane irne pot, ix s. ;
item, fra John Roger yownger, for the rest of ane jrne pot, vj s. ; item,
fra Sande Banerman in Auld Abirdene, ix s. ; item, fra Mege Neilsoun,
for tua yeris maill of my house in the Guestraw, xliiij s. ; item, fra Cunne
Malcome, xvj s. for ane yeris maill of my house forsaid ; item, fra Sande
Vrquhart, xvj s. of maill of ane buyth of my land in the Gallowgait ; item,
thre dense aikisis, tua in the house and ane in my buith, the price of the
pece, vj 8. viij d. ; item, ane vob of tartane contenand x ellis, the price ij s. ;
item, half ane hundreth laid of elding, the price xx s. ; item, ane grene
kirtill, the price xxiiij s. Quhilkis gudis and geir aboun writtin, of the
price and valour forsaid sowmes, and money aboun expremit, the saidis
Gilbert and Thomas Myln vrangusly, and aganis the law, postponis and
deferris to refund, &c.
1th June, 1546.
My lord prouest and bailzies of this noble burgh of Abirdene, to your
1[ ], humelie menis and complanis, I, Wm. Mair, vpoun Andro Dirty,
James Melwin, and Walter Reid, marinellis, now beand within your iuris-
dictioun in Abirdene : That quhar in the Pasche owk last bypast, or thair-
by, in the yeir of God j" v" and xlvj, I deliuerit to the said Andro Dirty,
James Melwin, and Walter Reid, beyng in ane boit of Gilbert Marris schip,
in the see, one the cost of Berwik or thairby, ane bulget of blak ledder,
lokit with tua lokis, ane of ilk syde, to haue bene saifHt and keipit be thame,
and brocht hame to me in Scotland ; for the quhilk I gaif thame amangis
thame ane crown of the soun ; the quhilk croun was ressauit amang thame.
Within the quhilk bulget was contenit this geir following belangand to me :
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 239
half ane ell of red weluet ; four ellis of Holland clayth ; tua beltis of variant 7th June,
silk, knapit with gold ; half ane pund of blak pastment silk ; ane pair of schort ^^^'
blak hoise ; ane blak bonnet ; thre dosoun of menekin stringis, for lutis ; thre
dosoun of grene ribbanes, silk ; tua losin sarkis ; ane spunge of birse ; tua
pair of tapheit gartanes, ane blak, ane wther blew, contenand ane ellene.
Neuertheless the said Andro, James, and Walter, vrangusly, and aganis
the law, withhaldis fra me the geir aboun writtin.
25th June, 1546.
Sequitur tenor commissionis Dauidis Andersoun.
Bailzeis, counsale, and communite of Abirdene, we greit yow weill : For-
samekle as it is desirit of ws our guid vill and mynd, as your prouest, for
makin of burgessis sonns freraen and burgessis, be the tennour heirof, I gif
my powar of prouestry to Dauid Andersoun, or ony ane of thame, and makis
thame my deputis in the said office, to ressaue Andro Scherar, James Hol-
land, to be fremen and burgessis, nochtwithstanding thair youthheid, and to
joise and bruik thair priuileges of burgessis. Forder to do thairin as I war
present in propir persoun, haldand and for to hald firme and stabill all and
quhatsumeuer my said deputis to the saidis Andro and James, be vse and
consuetud of the said burgh, be this writ, subscriuit with my hand at
Huntly, the xxij day of Junij, 1546. Et sic subscribitur, George Erie of
Huntly.
13tk July, 1546.
The said day, the bailzeis and counsale, present for the tyrae, agreit Sir
John Futhe, maister of thair sang skuill, and John Blak, singar, of all falis
and faltis betuix thame in tymes bigane ; and forder, the said Sir John was
content for the tyme, and gaif his guid will and licence to the said John
Blak, as deput vnder him, to teche and lerne all the barnis of the said sang
skuill singing, and therfor to ressaue and ouptak the haill proflfeit the said
John mycht get of the said skuill to his awin vtilite and profFeit, sa lang as
he makis guid seruice thairintill without ony fait, induring the said Sir
Johnis will. And, in the mentyme, the said John to have power to puneis
and correc his avin tua brether, Alexr. Grayis tua sonis, ane Skeyne, and
ane Lummisdan, barnis of the said skuill, reseruand the punyisment of the
remanent barnis therof to the said Sir John himself, as superior thairof ;
and forder, the said John Blak was content, in presens of the said bailzeis
240 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th July, and counsale, gif euer he falit agane to the said Sir John, in his defalt in
1546. tymes cuming, in ony thing concerning the said skuill, to be dischargit of
all proffetis he hes of the townn of Abirdene for his service within thair
queir and kirk thairof, during the vill of the bailzeis and counsale for the
tyme.
19^A July, 1546.
The said day, the bailzeis ordinit the officiaris to pas and varne all maner
of personis avand ony malis or dettis to the brig of the Dee, to cum this
day XV dais afore the counsale, and mak compt, rakening, and paiment
thairof, with intiraatioun, and thai do nocht, tha will gar puind and dis-
trenze thame for the same. And als the bailzeis and counsale ordinit thair
maister of thair brig wark to pas and tak tua or thre of the counsale with
him, and wesy, with ane masoun and wrycht, all faltis of the said brig, and
enter craftismen thairto, to reforme the same with all diligence, be a vise of
the forsaid personis, and mak expensis thairupoun, and ordinit the same to
be alovit to him in his nixt comptis.
Qth August, 1546.
The said day, it is statut and ordinit be the bailzeis, counsale, and com-
munite of this guid townn, tha beyng varnit, &c., for the commond veill
of the same, and evading sa far as tha ma fray the contagius pest now latly
rising of new in certane partis of this realme, that all maner of mendicantis
and beggaris within this towne dewoyd the same, except sa mony as is
licent to remane be the bailzeis and counsale, and hes the townis taking,
within xxiiij houris nixt efter the tuelt hour of this day, vnder the pane of
burning of thame with ane hett jrne one the cheik that beis fundin within
this townn efter the said xxiiij houris ; and thaireftir tha beand brint that
remanis and contempnis the said charge to dewyid the said tounn within
wther xxiiij houris, vnder the pane of deid, viz. hanging or drovning. And
als that na maner of nychtbouris within this burgh ressaue nor harbour na
maner of mendicantis nor begaris, strangeris, without speciale licence of
the bailzeis or ane of thame thairto, vnder the said paine ; and gif ony
siclik cumis to this townn, that tha remane nocht aboun xxiiij houris within
the same, vnder the same pane. And als that the bailzeis, pas with certane
honest nychtbouris with thame, this instant day efter nowne, throcht all the
partis and rewis of this guid toun, and vesy the same, and remove and ex-
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 241
pell all raendicantis and begaris of the same that ar nocht licent to remane, 6th Aug.,
and charge thame to remove vnder the panes forsaid. And als that na ^^^
maner of personis of botis nor crayaris that hapnis to cum out of the south
partis be ressauit, nor licent, nor tholit to cum out of thair crayaris nor
botis, nor ressauit in ony lugingis nor houssis within this guid town, nor
yit na metis nor drinkis nor wther necessaris ministrat to thame, nor yit
that na personis mell with tham in na sort, without speciale licence of the
bailzeis, or ane of thame at the lest, had thairto, vnder the said panis.
And als that thair be ane honest seruand man at euery port of this guid
towne ilk day, to keip the same frathinfurth quhill the town be forder
auisit, as tha sail ressaue directioun of the bailzeis thairto, and euery nycht-
bour of the guid toun to furneis the same thair tyme about, as it fallis, and
tha varnit thairto, and als ordinit oppin proclamatioun to be maid heirof at
the mercat corce.
Ilth August, 1546.
The said day, the bailzeis and counsale present for the tyme ordinit
Dauid Andersoun, thair maister of kirk wark, to send to Sanctandrowis
for ane plumbar, to reforme and mend the faltis of thair kirk ; and ordinis
that quhat expensis he gevis ane seruand to pass for the said plumbar, and
als quhat he gevis the said plumbar for his travell heir, gif he agreis nocht
with him one the wark, and gif he agreis, quhat expensis he makis thair
upoun to be alovit thankfully to him in his next comptis.
\^th September, 1546.
The said day, the haill tovnn beyng varnit to this day, &c., it wes ex-
ponit and schavin to thame be the bailzeis, how that, in all tyme of weir
bygane sene the deceise of our maist nobill prince James the Fift, quhom
God asolze, this guid tounn and inhabitantis thairof hes keipit thair handis
clein, and done na vrang, hurt, nor trubill to na maner of schipis nor per-
sonis of Flanderis, Denmark, nor nane of the est partis, nor yit nane of
thame complentus on this towne as yit to this, and that ther is na weir
betuix ws and them, and elikvise apperand pace betuix ws and Ingland, and
proclamationis maid thairvpoun, as is notabilly knavin, as in the letteris
direct thairwpoun mair fullely is contenit ; and at tha ar now latly informit
that Melchor Cullane and certane wtheris, his complices, are passit furth
laitly of the towne of Leyth with ane schip in veirsaw, without ony licence
242 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th Sept., of the gouernour and lordis of counsale, expressly agains the charge of the
1646. gj^jj letteris. Therfor, to ewaid damnage and skaythis that ma follow thair-
wpoun, and to hald and keip this toune in ane guid bruit and name, as it
hes bene in the tyrae forsaid bygane, it is statut and ordinit be the haill
townn, &c., that na raaner of persoun, within this towne duelland, freman
nor vnfreman, by ony maner of schipis or prisis, or ony maner of geir, fray
ony men of weir, of quhat natioun that euer tha be, nor yit pas vpoun burd
on ony schip, schipis, or prysis, without speciale licence of the bailzeis and
counsale askit and obtenit thairto, vnder the pane of tinsale of thair fre-
dome, and all takis and rowmes, and all wther maner of proffietis tha haue
of the toun, of thame that ar fremen, and bannesing thaim the towne that
ar vnfremen, without ony excuse or request to be hard in the contrar, and
this to indur during the townis vill.
The said day, it is statut and ordinit be the haill townn, convenit in thair
tolbuyth as said is, &c., for the commond veill of this guid towne, and pre-
seruing and keiping of the same fra the contagius pest now laitly brokin
oup and ringand in certane partis of this realme, sa far as the craft and
ingine of man ma do, referrand the laif to the Eternale God, keipar of all,
&c. : that ther reraane tua men daylie at the boll brig, keipand the same,
thairof ane to remane continualy thairat, and the wther of thame to cum
and aduerteis the bailzeis quhen ony strangear cumis or he get enteres in the
townn ; and at na maner of persoun of Edinburght, Leyth, Dunde, nor na
wther suspect place, be ressauit without sufficient testimoniale presentit to
ane of the bailzeis at the lest, and admitt be thame ; and gif ony personis
of the said townis or places, of quhat degre that euer tha be, hapnis to cum
without testimoniale, that tha be nocht ressauit in na sort without licence of
the bailzeis and ane part of counsale obtenit thairto ; and als ane man to
keip the Gallowgait port, and ane wther the Thewis port, and at Futeist
port and the Trinite port be lokit and keipit close ; and als that all oppin
passagis, yardis, and wther places quhair ony enteres may be had, be closit
and bigit oup be the avnaris thairof that ar propir, and be the denis of gild
that ar commond, with all diligence ; and that euery nichtbour and induellar
the said burgh keip, or ellis cause keip be ane sufficient seruand, the said
boll brig, Gallowgait and Futeis portis, thair tyme about as it fallis to
thame, and as tha be varnit nychtly thairto be the officiaris ; and quhay that
beis varnit and cumis nocht himself, nor sendis nocht ane sufficient seruand
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 243
thairto in dew tyme, the officiar of that quarter quhair he duellis to fee ane I3th Sept,
sufficient man in his place, and gif him xij d. in the day thairfor, and the ^^^'
persoun that sould haue kepit the said brig or port to pay the same agane ;
and the officiar to pund therfor als oft as neid beis ; and all the portis of the
townn to be closit and lokit nychtly at viij houris at evin, and remain fast
quhile vj houris in the morning, that the keiparis thairof enter thairto ; and
that na nychtbouris duelland without the portis of the said burgh ressaue,
houise, nor herbir, na maner of strangear, pure nor riche, in thair houissis
without speciale licence of ane of the bailzeis for the tyme, askit and obtenit
thairto, vnder the pane of tinsale of thair fredome that ar fre, and bannes-
ing tham the towne that ar vnfre ; and als that the induellaris in Futy, ilk
ane of thame thair tyme about, vait one the bavin and keip that na maner
of personis that hapnis to cum out of south partis in ony schipis, crayaris,
or botis cum vpon land on ony part of the fredome of this burgh without
speciale licence of the bailzeis and counsale, vnder the pane of confiscatioun,
and eschaeting of thair schip and haill guidis beyng in the same for the
tym ; and that the said keipar aduerteis euery crayar, schip, or boat, of the
said statut and pane, at thair heir cuming, with intimatioun as efferis ; and
at na maner of persoun in this towne nor Futy ressaue, houise, nor herbre,
ony sic personis cumand in sic schipis, crayaris, or botis, vnder the pane of
tinsale of thair fredome, takis, rowmes, and all wther proffettis tha haue of
the towne, that ar fre, and bannesing thame the towne that ar vnfre, with-
out ony excuse or request to be hard in the contrar ; and this statut to in-
dur during the townes will.
2d October, 1546.
The said day, the haill tovnn beyng varnit, &c., chesit Gilbert Fraser,
Robert CuUane, Thomas Scherar, Johnne Baine, Robert Arthour, Andro
Murdo, and Alexr. Jaflfray, taxtaris, to taxt and stent the sowme of tua
hundreth pundis Scottis raone one the nychtbouris and inhabitantis of this
burgh, to be pait incontinent to the gouernour, for the saidis townis licence
to reraaine at hayme fray this quartar of the sege of Sanctandrowis, con-
forme to the thesaureris writing of licence tharfor direct thairupoun, quhilk
personis accepit the said mater vpon thame, and ar sorn the grit ayth
tharto, to taxt the same lelile and treuly, but feid or fauour of ony personis,
after the faculte of the inhabitantis of the said burgh, &c. Of the quhilk
the tennour foUowis :
244 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
2d October, Traist freindis, efter hartlie commendatioun, ye sail witt that we ressauit
1546. yjjyj. writing fra your nychtbour, William RoUand, berar heirof, and hes
tain consideracioun off the cumraeris ye haue, and schawin the samyn to
my lord gouernour at lyntht, and at your plesour at this tyme, that ye
may remaine at hayra fra this armye and assige heir off Sanct Androwis,
hes ordanit him bring incontinent, or send heir, for you and your towne
of Aberdene, the sowme of twa hundreth pundis, quhilk being pait fra
hand, as we haue schavin to this berar, ye sail incure na danger, nor be
callit nor accusit fray biding fra the said assige ; wtherwaise, gyff ye do
nocht, that ye cum heir yourselffis, conform to the proclamatioun past
thairwpoun, as farder the berar will declair, and God keip yow. At
Sanctandrois, this last day of September.
8th October, 1546.
The said day, it is statut and ordinit be the bailzeis and counsale that
na maner of botis nor crayaris that hapnis to cum out of the south partis,
be ressauit within this havin during the tyme of the pest, now ringand in
certane partis of this realme, and at na maner of persoun, freman nor vn-
freman, duelland in this toune nor Futy, ressaue, houise, nor herbre, nor
sell ony metis nor drinkis to sic personis, without speciale licence of the
bailzeis and ane part of the consale, had and obtenit thairto, vnder the pane
of tinsale of their fredome that ar fre, and bannesing thame the towne that
ar vnfrie.
nth October, 1546.
The said day, the bailzeis and counsale present for the tyme, with avise
of the nychtbouris present for the tyme, decernit and ordinit that Sanct
Nicholace braid siluer be given to the sustentatioun of the seik folkis of the
pest, during the tyme thairof, and the townis will ; and als ordinit Andro
Losoun to gif the braid siluer he gat one Sonday last was, to be distribuit
to the seik folkis ; and als consentit, all in ane voce, that the rest of the
last taxt siluer aboun the ij'' vj lib. xiij s. iiij d., quhilk is ellis pait for
the same, and bering and deliuering thairof, be takin and gevin to the
sustentatioun of the said seik folkis, and Robert CuUane deliuerit instantly
xxxii thairof to John Bruise, officiar, to the effect forsaid.
The said day, the bailzeis grantit that thay had ressauit fray Robert
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 246
CuUane the sowrae of ij<= lib. for the principall taxt of the sage of Sanct- nth October,
androwis, togidder with vj lib. xiij s. iiij d. gevin to Maister Robert Lum- ^^^"
misdane, for the bering thairof to Sanct Androwis, and deliuering of the
same, quhilk the said Maister Robert grantit him ressauit, and oblegit him
to report ane sufficient acquittance to the said towne of the said ij" lib.,
for the causis forsaid, or ellis the said mone agane to thame.
25th October, 1546.
The said day, it is statut and ordinit be the bailzeis and counsale pre-
sent for the tyme, all in ane voce, that the officiaris pas with diligence
and requyr all thame that hes nocht pait thair pairt of the last taxt, as
tha war taxt for the townis licence to remaine at hayme fra the sege of
Sanctandrouis, to pay the same, and specially thir personis, Andro Lesly,
Martyne Hoveson, &c., burgessis of the said burgh ; and gif tha, or ony
of thame, refusis to pay the same, that tha varne the refusaris to ane day
afor the bailzeis and counsale, to heir and see thame that hes ony takis
of the towne decernit to haue tint thair takis tha haue of the said towne,
and tha that hes na takis, to heir and see tham decernit to haue tint thair
fredome of the said burgh, with intiraatioun that quhidder tha compeir or
nocht the dais tha happin to be varnit to, the bailzeis and counsale will
proceid and decerne conforme to thir said statut ; and forder ordinit the
said statut to be keipit and obseruit vpoun paiment of all taxtis that hapnis
to cum on the said towne in tyme cumyng.
The said day, Maister Robert Lummisdan presentit and deliuerit in
iugment ane discharge of our souerane lady the quenis grace, with consent
of my lord gouernour, vnder hir graces signet and my lord gouernouris
subscriptioun, of the dait the tent day of October, the yeir of God ane
thousand five hundreth fourty sax yeriis, and of hir regne the ferd yeir, to
the towne, for thair remaning at hame fra the sege of Sanct Androwis,
the thrid quartar of the northland, ordinit to haue conuenit at Sanct
Androwis the ferd day of October instant, because he had deliuerit, in the
said tovnis name, the sowme of tua hundreth lib. Scottis mone to our
souerane ladyis thesaurar therfor, and als ane acquittance to the said the-
saurar, vnder his signet and subscriptioun manuale, of the dait at Sanct
Androvis, the xv day of October, the yeir of God j"" v'^^xlvi yeris,
grauntand him to haue ressauit the said sovme fray the said Mr. Robert, in
2 I
246 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
25th October, name and behalf of the said towne ; quhilk discharge and acquittance the
^ bailzeis and counsale admit to be put in the chartour kist.
We, Johnne, bischop of Dunkeld, &c., thesaurer to our souerane lady
the quenis grace, grantis ws to haue resauit fra Maister Robert Lumisdane,
in name and behalf of the prowest, baillies, counsale, and communite of the
burght of Abirdene, the sowm of tua hundreth poundis Scottis, in full
contentacioun and compleyt payment for thair corapositioun to remain at
hame and abyd fray the oist and armye ordinit presentlie to cum to the
assegeing of the castell of Sanct Androwis, the ferd day of October instant ;
of the quhilk sowm, for the cause aboun exprimit, we hald ws weill content
and pait ; and in our souerane ladyis name, and all vtheris quhome it
efferis, dischargeis thame and euerith ane of thame, at this tyme, for the
sarain, be this wryt, subscriwit with our hand, at Sanct Androwis, the
XV day of October, the yeir of God m. v" fourty sax yeris.
J. Dunkeld, Thesaurarius.
11 th December, 1546.
The said day, the counsale present for the tyme decernit and ordinit
Dauid Spilyelaucht, quhilk brak command ordinance and statutis, in non
schaving the bailzeis the seiknes of his barne, quhilk was seik in the pest,
in dew tyme, conforme to the statut and - ordinance maid thairwpoun, to
be brint on the left hand with ane het irne. And forder statutis and or-
dinis of new agane, that gif he or ony nichtbour, induellar in this burgh,
concelis sic thingis in tymes cumyng, and cumis nocht incontinent efter
that ony maner of person, young or auld, hapnis to be seik in thair housse,
quhat kind of seiknes that euer it be, to ane of the bailzes of the said
burgh, and reuele and schaw the same to ane of the said bailzeis, that the
concelaris thairof be puneist to the deid, man or woman, quhat euer tha be,
without ony request to be hard in the contrar.
3d Februarj/i 1547.
The said day, the haill toune beyng vamit, &c., grantit and promittit
to gif William Lord Forbes ane tounn of wyne yeirlie, Pasche and Lam-
mes, for keiping of thair watteris and fischingis of Done and Dee, with
thair pertinence, in raid tyme fra all maner of nettis, cobillis, wawsperis,
heryvalteris, and all wther instrumentis, fra the natiuite of our Ladye
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 247
yeirlie to the fest of Sanct Androw, he causand keip the same at his vter 3d February,
power ; and gif he failis thairintill, he to haue na paiment of the said wyne. ^^^•
And ordinit ane band to be maid to his lordschip heirwpon, vnder thair
commond seill, and ordinit the keiparis thairof to seill the said band thair-
with, thai gettand his lordschipis band agane vnder his seill and hand
writ, to keip the said vatteris and fischingis lelilie and treulie during the
said tyme, at his vter povar, as said is, and vder wais nocht ; quhilk band
George Meldrum of Five, knicht, and John Lesly of Bolquhane, resauit
this day in the said lordis name, selit with the commond seill, and promittit
faythfullie to deliuer the said townn the said lordis band heirupoun, vnder
his seall and hand writ, within viij dais, or ellis thair avin band agane
within the said terme.
13*A April, 1547.
Licentia et acquittancia hie inserte deberent postea inseri in mense Julii
quamuis ob loci penuria hoc inseruntur.
Regina. We, with avise, consent, and auctorite of our derrest cousing
and tutour, James Erll of Arrane, Lord Hamyltoun, &c., protectour and
gouemour of our realme, for diuerse ressonabill caussis and consideratioun
moving him thairto, be the tenour heirof, grantis and gevis licence to our
louittis the baillies, counsall, and communite of our burgh of Aberdene,
to remane and byd at hame fra ony ost, raid, and army dewisit to convene
at Peblis, the tent day of Julij nixt to cum, and fra thyne to pas ford-
wart to our bordouris of our realme, for assegeing and recovering of the
castell of Langholme furth of our auld innemeis handis, and for stuncheing
and repressing of commoun thewis and tratouris of Esdaill, Ewisdaill,
Lidderdaill, and Annanderdaill ; and vill and grantis that the saidis
baillies, consall, and communite, nor nane of thame, sail nocht incur ony
skayth or danger thairthrow in thair personis, landis, or gudis, nor sail
nocht be callit nor accusit thairfor, criminalie nor ciuilie, be ony maner
of way in tyme cuming, nochtwitstanding ony actis, statutis, ordinances,
letteris, proclamationis, chargeis, or dischargeis maid or to be maid in the
contrar, and panis contenit thairin. Anent the quhilkis we dispence with
the saidis baillies, counsall, and communite, and ilkan of thame, be thir
our letteris, gevin vnder our signet, and subscriuit be our said goiernour,
at Linlichgow, the aucht day of Julij, and of our regnne the fyft yeir.
James.
248 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th April, I, Maistcr James Forester, clerk of our souerane ladyis thesawrarie,
1647. grantis me to haf resauit fra the handis of Johne Kelso, in name and be-
half of the prowest, baillies, counsall, and communite of the burgh of
Abirdene, the sowme of twa hundreth poundis, and that for the licence
grantit to the saidis prowest, baillies, counsall, and comraunitie to remaine
and byd at harae fra the oist and army ordanit to convein at Peblis with
my lord governour, the tent day of Julij instant, of the quhilk sowme of
tua hundreth poundis I hald me weill content aud payit, quitclamis and
dischargeis the said provest, baillies, caunsall, and communite, and all
vtheris quhome it eflPeris, for now and euer, be this my present discharge,
subscryuit with my hand, at Edinburgh, the xi day of July, the yeir of
God m° V* xlvii yeiris, befor thir witnes, John Young, burgis in Edin-
burgh, Alexr. Guthre, and James Allane, with vtheris diuerse.
I, Maister James Forstar, with my hand.
18^^ April, 1547.
The said day, William RoUand elder, in name of himself and Alexr.
Knowis, and thair complices, presentit in iugment to the bailzeis ane sup-
plicatioun of Patrik Erie Boithiuele, Lord Halis, Creichtoun, and Liddis-
dale, and grit admirale of Scotland, direct to the prouest and bailzeis of the
said burgh, to call certane vitnes duelland in the said burgh afor thame, and
examine thame be thair aythis in ane cause depending, afor the said ad-
mirale and his deputis, betuix the said William RoUand, Alexr. Knowis,
and thair complices, and Maister Robert Lummisdan, Maister James Torre,
Welleame Quhit, and thair complices, vpoun the contentis of the precept
rasit be the said William and his complices aganis the said Maister Robert
and his complices forsaid, lyk as in the said supplicatioun at mair lynth is
contenit ; quhilk supplicatioun the said bailzeis ressauit, and the same being
red in iugment, tha ordinit the said Wm. and his complices to cause varne
the vitnes tha vald produce in the said mater to Friday nixt cumis, to testife
in the same ; and als to cause warne thair party to the said day to heir the
said vitnes ressauit, admittit, and some, or thane to schaw ane ressonabill
cause quhy, with intimatioun as efferis.
The said day, it is deuisit and ordinit be the counsale that tha pas with
thair curat and chaplane of Sanct Michaelis altar of the said burgh to the
said altar one Sonday nixt cumis, and consider the vestmentis and orna-
1547.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 249
mentis thairof, and quhat it wantis necessar thairto tha ordand the same to I8th April,
be maid thairto one the townis expensis.
The said day, it is deuisit and ordinit be the bailzeis and counsale, for
keiping of the glassin vindokis of thair kirk, and the sklatis of thair luge,
that quhatsumeuer personis, yovng men, seruandis, barnis, or craftismen,
brakis ony of the said vyndokis of the kirk or queir, or sclatis, that thair
faderis or maisteris sail ansuer therfor, and reforme and mend the same
agane on thair avin expensis ; on the quhilk Dauid Andersoun, maister of
the kirk wark, tuik act of court.
30th April, 1547.
The said day, in the terme assignit to the priour and conuent of the
freris predicatouris of Abirdene to produce and exhibeit perempturlie thair
rychtis, gif tha ony had, quhy tha suld nocht cause bring the cornis that
growis on thar croftis, lyand on the north est syid of the said burgh,
to the townis millis, within the said burgh, and grind the same thairat, and
pay thair multuris and wther dwiteis thairfor as wther nichtbouris within
the said burgh dvis, conforme to the townis auld statutis maid thairupoun,
the said freris comperand be freir John Myln and freir John Blak, in thair
names, and John Brabaner, takisman of the said millis, comperand for
himself, to the ejQTect forsaid, the saidis priour and conuent, nor nane wtheris
in thair names, producit na thing, tha beyng oft tymes callit thairto, quher-
for the said John Brabaner protestit solemplie, in presens of the said freir
John Myln, and freir John Blak, that it suld stand tharae for ane terme
peremptour, and at tha suld haue [na] place to produce ony thing in tyme
cuming in the said mater, for the causis forsaid ; and the saidis freir John and
freir John allegit thair priour was absent furth of the towne, and tha culd
vse na defensis in his absence, and therfor protestit that quhat beis done
this day in the said mater suld nocht preiuge nor hurt the said priour and
conuent, nor thair rycht in the said mater, and for remeid of law aganis the
same quhen tyme and place requyrit ; on the quhilkis bayth the saidis partyis
tuik actis of court and instruments ; and thairefter the bailzeis chargit
Sanderis King, officiar, in iugment, to requir the saidis freir John and freir
John, in name of the said priour and conuent, quhilk he did instantly in
iugment ; and als to requir the said priour and conuent agane at thair place
of the said burgh, to compeir this day xv dais, gif it be lauchtfuU, and falze-
260 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
30th April, ing thairof, the nixt lauchtfuU day thairefter, in the houre of cause, to heir
1**^- and se thame self decernit, be decreit of court simpliciter, to cause feche
the cornis of thair said croftis to the tovnis forsaid millis, and grind the
same thairat, and pay thair multuris and duyteis tharfor as wther nycht-
bouris pais, conforme to the statutis of the said burgh, with intimatioun as
efferis.
I3tk May, 1547.
The said day, Maister Thomas Dauesoun, prolucutour for the freris pre-
dicatouris of the said burgh, gaif in this protestatioun efter following in
writ : We, priour and conuent of the predicatouris of the freris of Abir-
dene, protestis before your w[ ], bailzeis of the same, that quhat beis
done or is done bigane in the pretendit actioun and cause, movit and in-
tendit be John Brabaner, burges of the said burgh, in name of the haile
towne of Abirdene, aganis ws, tuching the multuris of the cornis that grew
vpoun our croftis, of the terretour of the est part of the said burgh, preiuge
nor hurt ws nocht, nor our place in rycht and priuilege, that is grantit and
gevin to ws be the nobill and excellent princes of the realme, be vertew of
the quhilkis it is lesum to ws to grind and multur our cornis, quharsoeuer tha
grow, at the mill of Gilcamstoun, multur fre ; in the quhilk priuilege and in-
dult we and our predecessouris is and hes bene in vse and possessioun of, past
all mannis memore levand, as is lauchtfuUy prescriuit in vsage therof, and ther-
for aucht and suld be the law be callit before the quenis grace and hir lordis
of counsale, or thane be hir grace letteris and commissioun befor the schirref
of the schire, or wtheris our iugis competent of the law, for cognitioun takin
in the said mater, or we be put thairfra, and depriuit of our priulege ; of
the quhilk your m[ ] is nocht iugis competent thairto, as the actioun
is intentit ; and gif ye do in the contrar, for remeid of law, tyme and place,
and protestit efter the forme of the same, on the quhilk he tuik act of court
and instrument.
The said day, Maister Thomas Dauesoun, prolucatour for the said freris,
allegit that the said John Brabaner had askit nathing in speciale in his
dame, and therfor protestit that the said freris haue ane absoluitour of the
said Johnis clame, on the quhilk he tuik instrument.
The said day, John Brabaner tuik act of court and instrument, that the
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 251
said freris, nor nane wtheris in thair names, producit, allegit, nor said na I3th May
wther sayingis nor allegeance, nor wald nocht say nor allege na wther thing ^^*^-
thane is afor proponit and allegit this day.
23d May, 1547.
The said day, the court vardit and schew for law, that the priour and
conuent of the freris predicatouris besyid the burghe of Abirdene, hes pro-
ducit nor shavin nathing in the terme assignit to thame perempturlie of
thair avin desir be the bailzeis of the said burgh, to exhibit and produce
afor the said bailzeis thair rychtis, gif tha ony had, quhy tha aucht nocht
nor suld nocht cause feche thair cornis that grovis on thair croftis, lyand one
the northt est terretour of the croftis of the said burgh, to the townis millis
within the said burgh, and grind the same thairat, and pay thair multerris
and wther duiteis thairfor, as wther nychtbouris pais, conforme to the said
statutis of the guid towne maid thairwpoun, at the instance of John Braba-
ner, takisman of the saidis millis, desirand the same of the said freris. The
said John, comperand personalie in iugment, desirand pronunciation heir-
wpoun, and the saidis priour and conuent beyng requirit at thair said place
to compeir the said day, and als freir John Blak and freir Johne Auld-
corne beyng requirit afor in iugment to compeir the said day, to hear and
se the said pronunciation, with intimatioun as efferit, and nocht compeirand
lauchtfull tyme of day biddin, the bailzeis forsaid decernit and ordinit the
saidis priour and conuent, and thair successouris, to cause feche and bring
the cornis that growls on that thair said croftis yeirlie, in tymes cumyng,
to the said townis millis within burgh, and grind the same thairat, and pay
thair multuris and duyteis therfor to the millaris thairof, in all tymes cum-
yng, as wther nychtbouris pais, conforme to the statutis of the guid towne
maid thairwpoun, and that is gevin for dovme be the mouth of James
Pentland, dempster of the court for the tyme, and condampnit the said
freris in the expensis of the court, to be taxt be thame efteruart, on the
quhilk the said John Brabaner tuik act of court and instrument.
\st July, 1547.
The said day, the haill towne, beyng varnit, &c., chesit Andro Menzeis,
Dauid Mar, James Allerdes, Maister James Torre, and Robert Arthour,
taxtaris to taxt and stent the sowme of tua hundreth pundis Scottis mone
of the nychtbouris, fremen, and inhabitantis of the said burgh, to be takin
252 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
ist July, oup and payit incontinent to my lord gouernour and his grace factouris, for
**^* the said townis licence to remain at hayme fray this hoist and raid of Lang-
hope, conforme to the townis licence to be gottin thairupoun, quhilk per-
sonsis accepit the said mater on thame, and ar some the grit aythis to taxt
and stent the same lelile and treuly, but feid or fauour of ony personis, as
tha vald ansuer to God thairupoun, vpon the fremen and inhabitantis of
the said burgh for the causis forsaid.
6th July, 1547.
The said day, the bailzeis decernit Maister James Torre to haue pai-
ment of xxx s. Scottis mone of Wille Duncane, within xx dais, quhilk he
pait this day for the said Willeamis taxt of the raid of Langop, in the said
Willeamis absence, and [gif] he pais nocht the same to the said Maister
James within the said terme, the bailzies and counsale decernis the said
William to haue tint his fredome ; and ordinis that he joise nor vse nocht
na priuilege of the said burgh frathatfurth, quhill he compone of new agane
for his fredome, and assignis the haill proffeit tharof to the said Maister
James, for the causis forsaid.
22c? August, 1547.
The said day, the haill townn beyng varnit, &c., consentit that the haill ar-
tailzerie, with the pulder and buUatis of the Franche schip now beand within
the bavin of Abirdene, the skipar thairof callit [ ] j be tane out
and vsit for defence of this guid towne aganes our ennimeis of Ingland and
Holland, and oblegit thame, all in ane voce, as said is, ilk ane for thair
avin pairt efferand to thair estatis, to scot and lot for the same and releif
thairof, as neid beis, quhen and quhair it sail happin the same to be
persevit.
29^A August, 1547.
The said day, the haill townn beyng varnit, &c., consentit and war con-
tent that Alexr. Ruderfurd and Dauid Andersoun, bailzeis, remainit at
hayme fra this present oist and army of Follamwir, for giding and rewling
of this guid towne, for defending the same bayth fray our auld ennimeis of
Ingland and lymmaris of this realme, and wther guid causis moving tham
for the tyme ; and oblegit thame that the said Alexr. and Dauid suld incur
na skayth throw thair remaining at hayme, tha fursefand and sendand furth
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 263
tbair eldest sonnis with the laif of the towne. And gif the said Alexr. 29th August,
and Dauid hapnis to be put at therfor, the haill towne, conueuit as said is, ^^^'^■
oblegit tharae to be part takaris of thair skaythis therfor, and to scot and
lot, part [and] part lik, for thair releif, for the causis forsaid.
31 6-^ August, 1547.
The said day, the bailzeis and counsale, present for the tyme, consentit
and war content that Androw Buk, Alexr. Ratray, Gilbert Tulidef, James
Collisoun, Andro Durty, Gibbe Menzeis, William Garreaucht, and Jerome
Blak, remanit at hay me fray this instant oist and army of Fallorawir, for
defence of this guid towne, bayth fray our auld ennimies of Ingland and
lymmaris of this cuntra, and oblegit thame to do that was in thame, and in
thair powar and labouris, to keip tham skaythles for thair said remaining,
and gif neid war to tak part with tharae thairintill.
^th September, 1547.
The said day, the haill toune that ar remanit presentlie at hame fra this
oist, beand varnit opinlie be hand bell to compeir this day, to awyse, con-
sult, assist, and concur, with the bailies, for the defens of this guid toune
and ordinans of the same, and vder bissenes concerning the commond weill
of the same, and thai beand conuenit for the maist pairt, oblegit tharae, all
in ane voce, in name and behalf of the haill toune, bayth absent and pre-
sent, to pay and recompans the laird of Drurarais falconne with hir graith,
in cace the said pece happin be chance to be tane be Inglismen (as God
forbeid), or beis broken, tynt, or spilt, and to releif Thomas Menzes thair-
of and the baillies, and siclik of all vder artilzerie, pulder, and munitionis,
that thai sail happin to get or borrow for defens of the toune and commond
Weill of the samen. And siclik oblegit thame to pay Alexr. Ruthyrfurd
and Dauid Andersoun, bailies, the expensis mayd and to be maid be thame
in bigging of the bastailze for defens of the toune, and ordanis the auditouris
of the townis comptis to allow the same to thame. And thaireftyr the bailies
presentit ane writing to the toune that is laitlie cumin out of Striuelyng fra the
nychtbouris of this toune that past to the oist, and eftir the tennour thairof
thai chargit all the saidis nychtbouris that war present to reraane still within
the toune, for defens of the samen, vnder the pane of tynsell of thair fredomes,
and geir, and gudis ; and ordanit the officiaris to pas to the mercat croce,
and thair, be oppin proclamatioun, charge all maner of fremen and burgis
2 K
254 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
9th s«pt, man, beand absent of tbe toune and nocht past ford ward to the army, to
^^' compeir and mak residens in the toune, for defens of the same, within
xxiiij houris, vnder the paine forsaid.
7th October, 1547.
The said day, the haill brether of gild, conuenit as said is, deuisis and
ordinis tua barrellis of poulder to be bocht on the townis expensis, for the
defense of this guid towne aganis our auld ennimeis of Ingland in thir
troublouse tyme of weir, and ordinis the auditouris of the townis comptis to
find and prouid mone, quhairwith the same salbe bocht, with all diligence ;
and als ordinis Andro Buk and Alexr. Ratray to haue the care, giding,
and keiping of the townis artailzerie and poulder to the towne, and to mak
compt of the saidis artailzerie and poulder to the towne, and ordinis tharae
to haue thair ressonabill feis and vageis of the tovnn thairfor during the
said tyme of weir, induring the tovnis vill.
8th October, 1547.
The said day, the prouest and bailzeis dischargit all thair feallis within
thair queir of all feis tha haue of the tovne during the tovnis vill, and ordi-
nit thair denis of gild that tha pay nane of tham ony fee in tyme cumyng
quhiil tha gif tham new command thairto agane.
20th December, 1547.
The said day, the haill tovnn and inhabitaris thairof, bayth fre and vn-
fre, beyng varnit be the officiaris, &c., consentit that thair be writingis send
to the quenis grace and gouernour, schavand how our auld ennimeis of Ing-
land hes inuadit the tovnn and burgh of Dunde, and hes causit thame de-
cline fra the quenis grace authorite to thairis, and at tha ar inlikmaner to
invaid our said burgh of Abirdene within tyme vncertane to ws, as the tovne
is suirlie informit ; therfor desirand thair counsale and suple how the tovnn
sail vse thame in thair behalffis, and to borrow certane poulder fra the gouer-
nour to the defence of the said tovnn, with promeis to rander the same agane
to his grace how soun schipis ma guidlie travell ; and als to desir the quenis
grace letteris, direct to the inhabitantis of the haill schire of Abirdene, to be
in radines, bodin in feir of veir, and to cum in to the said tovnn of Abirdene
within xxiiij houris nixt efter thair charge, for suport of the same, vnder
tbe pane of tinsale of lif, landis, and gudis, with powar to the schiref of
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 255
Abirdene, and his deputis and schireffis in that part, to charge them thairto, 20th Dec,
and confisk thair gudis, gif thai faill thairiutill, to the quenis grace vtilite ; ^^'^•
and ordinit ane scharpe man to convoye the said writingis ; quhilkis deuisit
Snavdown Hariot to convoy the same, and to report ansuer thairof, and to
haue for his lawbouris twenty merkis ; and als the said haill townn, con-
uenit as said is, consentit and grantit that the townis haile takis, baith of
watteris and landis, be set and prolongat to the takismen thairof for tene
yeris nixt and immediat follovand the ische and outrunin of thair last ge-
nerale assedatioun, viz., for xvj yeris nixt followand the vigill of Sanct An-
drew last bypast, tha and euery ane of tham payand dowbill gressummes
thairfor incontinent to the tovnis vtilite and commend veill, for the furnesing
of poulder, bullatis, and raunicioun, and wageouris, for defens of this guid
towne aganis our auld ennemeis of Ingland, now maist cruelly inuadand this
realme, and purposit schortlie, within tyme incertaine, to inuaid this burgh,
as thai ar suirlie aduertest ; and ordinis ane comraissioun to be maid to the
tovnis commissaris for setting of the same, vnder the townis commend seill,
to thair said takismen, thair airis and assignais, malis, burgessis, and actuale
induellaris the said burgh, and to nane wtheris, during the tyme forsaid,
for the causis aboun writin, and ordinis the keiparis of thair commend seill
to seill the same thairwith ; and alsuay consentis and grantis all in ane
voce, as said is, that thair be ane generale taxt stentit and rasit vpoun all
and sindry the inhabitaris of the said burgh, bayth fre and vnfre, efter thair
pischane and power, for support to the furnesing of the premisses ; and tax-
taris to be some to taxt and stent the same efter thair sawllis and con-
science ; and als ordinis that thair be oppin proclamationis maid at the mer-
cat corce of the said burgh, chargeand all maner of fremen of this burgh
that presentlie duellis without the same to cum incontinent with all diligence
within thre dais nixt efter thair charge, and mak continuall residence with-
in the said burgh, with thair honshaldis, for fulfilling and keiping of the
premisses, vnder the panis of tinsale of thair takis, samony as hes takis of
the tovnn, and tinsale of thair fredome that hes na takis ; and als that euery
nychtbour that hes ony takis of the guid tovnn, other of watteris or landis,
that thay pay thair malis avand of all termes bygane within thre dais, and
als termelie in tyme cumyng, conforme to thair assedationis, vnder the pane
of tinsale of thair takis ; and quhasumeuer dois in the contrar, that it salbe
lesum to the townn to dispone on thair takis to the tovnis vtilite and proffeit,
256 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
without ony request to be hard in the contrar : on the quhilkis Thomas
Menzeis, prouest for the tyrae, tuik act and instrument, afor thir vitnes,
Dauid Kintor, Maister Thomas Fynne, James Pentland, and Maister
John Kennedy, notar publik, with wther diuerse.
9^^ April, 1548.
The said day, the haill tovnn beyng convenit in thair heid court, all in
ane voce grantit and gaif the keiping of thair blokhouise to Gilbert
Menzeis, sone and apperand air to Thomas Menzeis of Petfoddellis, quhilk
accepit the same on him, and oblegit him to keip the same lelilie and treulie,
the tovnn gevand him seruandis and expensis to thame to vait thairupoun,
and for himself he desirit nor vald haue na thing, hot as the tovnn efteruart
plesit revard him, and nemmit Andro Buk, Thomas Cristale, Alexr.
Ratray, Gibbe Menzeis, and Andro Durty, quhilk the tovnn admittit ; and
the counsale ordinit euery ane of the said five personis to haue iiij lib. in
the moneth, during the tovnis vill, and thai to wait and keip the said blok-
houise bayth day and nycht, as the said Gilbert commandis thame ; and
ordinit Walter Cullane and Andro Losoun, ressaueris of the tovnis doubill
gressummis, to deliuer the said Gilbert tuenty lib. monethly, to be distribuit
to the said personis, during the tovnis vill, for thair vagis, and to begyne
paiment thairof incontinent.
13fA April, 1548.
The said day, the haill brethir of gild, beyng conuenit for the maist pairt
in thair gild court, consentit, deuisit, and ordinit, all in ane voce, na maner
of persoun opponand nor sayand in the contrar, for defens of this guid
tovnn agains our auld ennimeis, now maist cruelly inuadand this realme,
and makand residens in sindry partis thairof, and in purpos haistly to inuaid
this guid townn, and the same is suirly aduertest, and therfor for resistance
of thame, that na maner of persoun within this burgh, freman nor vnfre-
man, saill out of the same to na wther partis, for na maner of besines, nor
yit pas furth of the townn to landuard to remain quhill Lammes nixt cumis,
and forder during the tovnis will, vnder the paine of tinsale of thair fre-
dome and confiscatioun of thair haill landis, takis, and guidis within the
said town, to the tovnis vse. And at na maner of persoun haue povar to
gif ony licence to ony inhabitant of the said burgh to pas furth of the same
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 257
for ony raaner of besines, except Thomas Menzies prouest, and gif he gevis I3th April,
ony sic licence he sail ansuer to the towne therfor, conforme to the paine ^^^^'
abounwrittin, efferand to the personis landis and gudis he hapnis to gif
licence to, gif he ony gevis. Item, that all maner of fremen of this burgh
now duelland to landuard come to the towne with thair viffis, barnis, and
houshaldis, within viij dais nixt heirefter, and frathinfurth mak continuale
residence thairintill, and scot, lot, walk, and ward with thair nychtbouris,
during the tyme forsaid, vnder the panis aboun writin ; and ordinit opin
proclamation to be maid heirof at the mercat croce of the said burgh, with
intimatioun of the same to all personis as efferis.
16/y^ April, 1548.
The said day, it is deuisit and ordinit be the counsale present for the
tyme, for defence of this guid townn aganis our auld ennimeis of Ingland,
that the maister gunnar of John Hwmis schip, callit Maister John Maister-
toun, and Dauid Colweill, now beand within this bavin, be conducit to
serue the toune for ane moneth to cum, and ordinit Andro Losoun to com-
pone with them thairfor, and als as he appoyntis with tham to pay the same
of the townis doubill gressumes, and quhat he pais to tham tha ordand the
same to be alovit to the said Andro in his comptis thairof.
Item, tha ordand the said Andro to gif the Duchman, thair gunnar,
fourty s. to by him ane garmond, and ordinis the same to be alovit to the
said Andro in his comptis.
Item, the consale ordinis Thomas Cristale to haue iiij lib. in the moneth,
with his houis raaill fre, and als Andro Buk to haue iiij in the moneth,
with his houise maill fre, during the space of thre moneth to cum, for thair
guid and trew seruice to be done be tharae as gunnaris, for defence of the
guid tovnn, and wther besines concerning the same, during the said thre
moneth, and conducit tharae, to the effect forsaid, for the said vagis, during
the said thre moneth.
Item, the counsale accepit Thomas Menzeis, prouest, in the place of
Gilbert Menzeis his sone, to the preparatioun and conseruation of the blok-
house, to the said Gilbertis returning agane fra Edinburgh, quhair he is
now instantly purposit to pas.
258 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
aoth April. '20th April, 1548.
1548. The said day, the counsale assignit and gif the xii merkis Scottis pro-
raettit for Andro Huntaris fremanschip, to Maister Patre Ruderfurd and
John Losoun, thair lordis of Bonaccord of this instant yeir, and ordanit
tharae to be thankfully obeit of the same, to help to mak thair expensis in
the said office.
I8tk May, 1548.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale, present for the tyme,
ordinit Alexr. Ruderfurd to deliuer to the men of weir, in part paiment of
thair secund monethis wagis, ane hundreth and v lib. vij s. viij d. of the
mone he resauit fra channownes, and ordinit the same to be alouit to him
in his nixt comptis thairof.
22rf May, 1548.
The said day, Robert Hovesoun, valcar, is conuikit be the some assise
aboun writin for the spilling of the townis knok of thair tolbuyth, and als
for the strublance of the guid tovnn, in making of insurrectioun, with cer-
tane craftismen, aganis the burgessis of the said tovnn, and thar feit men of
weir. And als [ ] Hervy is conuikit be the said some assise for the
saying of inpertinat langege on the men of guid of the tovnn, and of thair
feit men of weir and capitane, quherfor ilk ane of thame is in ane amercia-
ment of the court to forber in tym to cum, and mend as law vill, and that is
gevin for dovm ; and the said Hovesoun is ordinit to reforme and mend the
said knok, be the sycht of craftismen, sa far as he hes skaythit her in ony
sort ; and for the offence done be him and Hervy to the towne, the assise or-
dinis thame bayth to cum on Sonday cum viij dais, and gang sark alane, bar
fuit, and hair leg, afor the processioun, with ane candill of vax of ane lib.
weycht in thair handis, ilkane of thame, and thairefter to ask the prouest
and bailzeis forgiffens one thair kneis, in the tovnis name ; and gif euer ony
of thame committis ony siclike faltis in tymes cumyng, to be brint one the
cheik, and bannest the towne, during the tovnis vill ; and ather of thame
ordinit to sett cautioun heirfor or tha depairt of the tolbuth.
28^A May, 1548.
My lord prouest and bailzeis of this guid tovnn of Abirdene, vnto your
m[ ], humelie menis and complanis John Cristesoun, litster, vpoun my
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 259
sone of law, Andro Chalmer : That quhair I depairtit of this realme in 28th May,
my lesum besines, in the moneth of Marche or tharby, in the yeir of God ^^^•
ane m° v*= xlij yeris, and left the said Andro as my seruand in my house to
mentene and keip my dochtir, his vif, my vif, my houise, geir, and guidis,
to my returning agane in Scotland. Nochtheless the said Andro, sin my
depairting, in the yeir of God ane m° v' xliij yeris, xliiij, xlv, xlvj, and
xlvij yeiris respectiue, hes intrometit, disponit, and avay takin, distroyit,
delapidat, and withhaldin the writingis, euidentis, geir, guidis, and vark-
lummis vnder writin, pertening to me as my avin propir gudis, and beyng
in my possessioun within my said house the tym of my departing forsaid :
that is to say, the said Andro hes intrometit with ane Tranche gardewiat,
worth thre pundis, full of my writingis and euidentis, sic as acquittances,
contractis, obligationis, comptis, buikis, actis, absolutionis, reuersionis,
chartis, instruments, and euidentis of my landis and tenement forsaid, and
wtheris small necessar writingis and documentis concerning me, extending
in valour to me, be iust estimatioun, to the some of foir hundreth merkis ;
item, ane comptour, the price, xl s. ; item, out of my varkhouse, ane litfat,
girthit with jme, the price v lib. ; item, thre dosoun of Heland sparris, the
price of the dosoun, xviij s. ; item, ane colraik of irne, the price, x s. ; item,
perkis and perk treis, xxx s. ; item, colour staffis and luyttis, price viij s. ;
with certane wther varklummes, sic as spowttis, spowtheouris, and cruikis,
worth xxx s. ; item, ane grit burd of aik, of xxx feit of lynth, and thre quar-
teris of breid, the price, xl s. ; item, iij" pece of sawin tymmer, for sattis,
price, vj lib. ; item, thre meill girnalis, out of my loft, price, xxx s. ; item,
vij platis of twne, price, xxij s. ; item, tua grit pottis, the price, v lib. ;
item, iij quartis of twne, the price, xviij s. ; item, tua poyntis of twne, the
price, viij s. ; item, tua siluer spvnis, the price, ij merkis ; item, viij barrell
of ass, the price of the barrell, xxxij s. ; item, xviij keling barrellis, the
price, xl s. ; item, iij dosoun of Suadin and foran burdis, the price, xxxvj
s. ; item, ane zetling, the price, v lib. ; item, iiij Denishe aixkis, the price,
ij merkis ; item, tua buklar suerdis, with buklaris, price, xl s. ; item, ane
halflang swerd, price, xl s. ; ane speir, v s. ; item, tua pair of horse pleuchis,
with irnis, and all graitht concerning thairto, price, xx s. ; item, ane siluer
croce, the price, ij merkis ; item, ane pair of ballandis of brass, price, xiij s.
iiij d. ; item, ane brew fat, with iiij standis, xij s. ; item, viij ass barrell treis,
price, viij s. ; item, vj grit canvessis coueringis to fattis, price, xxiiij s. ;
item, ane grit staik of vandis on the leid, x s. ; item, ane burd of aik the
260 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
28th May, clayth wes cutit out one, x s. ; item, iij and half quartar of blankat yarne,
154a price 1 s. ; item, tua strenzouris, and iiij nettis, xvj s. ; item, ij spaddis, vith
heidis, iij but heidis, and iij schwlis, price, iiij s. ; item, tua vemennis govnis,
the price, x lib. ; item, ane blak kirtile, the price, iiij lib. ; item, ane grene
kirtile, iiij lib. ; item, ane doublit of blew clayth, xx s. ; item, ane pair of
blew hoise, xij s. ; item, tua cottis of broun clayth, iij lib. ; thre blankatis,
iij merkis ; item, tua pair of schetis, xx s. ; item, the said Andro hes vsit,
distroyit, and vorne ane wther litfat of myne, price xl s. ; item, he hes vsit,
distroyit, and vorne viij pair of lynning schettis, price, iiij lib. ; item, he hes
vsit and occupeit my inland and warkhouse, with my wark and lummes, and
graytht yeirlie be the space of v yeiris last bypast, extending to maill yeirly
to tene merkis; item, sic lik he hes occupeit my loft and forbuith of my
forland induring the said space, extending yeirlie to xl s. ; item, he hes cas-
sin done, lattin fall, and distroyit iiij mwd houissis in my cloise and fald,
and put away the cuppillis and tymmer of ane part of thir houssis, and the
durris, vyndokis, insicht, and plenising of ane wther part of tham, the skayth
therof iii"lib. ; item, he hes brokin and distroyit the forwall of my vark-
huise, extending the skayth to xl s. ; item, his burd and his viffis, be the
space of ane yeir, or my departing, xx lib ; item, I left in my huise certane
stuff, sic as meill, malt, beif, cheise, geyise, and my vif hes haldin him and
his vif in burding thir v yeris last by past, extending to v" merkis ; item,
he hes intromettit with tua ky and ane yowng ox, vj lib. ; item, he hes
intrometit with iij lib. vj s. fray the Lady Essilmont, quhilk sche wes avand to
me ; and siclik with ane barrell of salraond fra Cannow Furd, quhilk he wes
avand me, price iij lib. ; item, ane grit kist of fyre, xx s. ; item, ane sadle,
price viij s. ; item, sindry wther small geir and gudis, insicht, and plennis-
ing, sic as fedder bed, bouster, cod covering, burdclayth, towale, napry,
veschell, and wther geir, as I sail specife in my articlis, price x lib.
Quhilkis geir, gudis, writingis, and euidentis, aboun writin and specifeit,
the said Andro vrangusly and aganis the law withhaldis the same fra me,
and postponis and deferris to deliuer and restoir the same agane to me, &c.
I5th June, 1548.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale ordinit thair feit
vageouris to be vagit still and pait yit for ane moneth to cum, begynnand
this instant day, and to haue thair vagis in hand, conforme to thair first
conducing to that effect, that gif the towne beis chargit to pas furth to the
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 261
nixt hoist and raid, that the said vageouris sail pas for the towne, gif the isth June.
same may be labourit for the towne, at the handis of the quene and gouer- i^^-
nour ; and how lang the said vageouris remainis, efter the said moneth, in
the said tovnis seruice, tha ordinit thame to be recompansit and pait therfor,
sa lang as thai remaine, according to thair first conducing and feying.
lUh June, 1548.
The said day, the counsale, present for the tyme, chesit Alexr. Ruder-
furd and Dauid Andersoun, the townis coUectouris and ressauris of the
said townis instant taxt, of ane thousand lib. Scottis mone, ordinit to be
taxit on this guid tovnn, for the defence of the same aganis our auld
ennimeis of Ingland ; and als ordinit the said ressaueris to ansuer and pay
the tovnis severale gunnaris, viz., Maister John Maistertoun, Gilbert
Menzeis, Alexr. Ratray, and Dauid Colwell, thair wagis frathinfurth, dur-
ing the townis vill, of the said taxatioun siluer, and to tak thair acquittance
thairwpoun, quhilk salbe alovit to thame in thair coraptis thairof ; quhilk
Alexr. and Dauid accepit the said office one thame.
23d June, 1548.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale ordinit Androw Lo-
soun, resauer of thair instant doubill grissumraes, to pay thair gunnar,
Hanse Gunnar, Duchman, tuelf pundis Scottis mone, for thre raonethis
wagis bigane, within xlviij houris, and ordinit the same to be alovit to
him in bis nixt comptis of the said grissummes.
The said day, the tovne, conuenit as said is, war contentt that the coun-
sale liraitt certane personis to saill now in the Danskein, and nane wtheris
to saill bot tha that the counsale admittis and limittis, providing allwaise
that tha tak sicker securite of all thame that salis for paiment of this pre-
sent taxt, and all wtheris that hapnis to cum one the towne to thair return-
ing, and for scotting, lotting, valking, and varding, as wther nychtbouris
dois in the towne, of the quhilkis the namis foUowis, adraittit be the coun-
sale : that is to say, James Lesly, James Walcar, Gilbert Knowis, Andro
Brabaner, Richart Vatsoun, Mawnis Murray, John Cargile, William
Craufurd, Willeam Forbes, Dauid Vischart, Andro Huntar, and Wm.
Vod. And thairefter the prouest, with express consent of the bailzeis and
counsale, licent the personis to saill in Danskin at this tyme, and nane
2 L
262 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
23d June, wtheris, providand allwaise that nane of thame saill, nor pass on schip burd
****• to saill, vnto the tyme ilk ane of the said personis for thame self act ane
sufficient burges man of the said burgh, in the townis court buikis, to
ansuer for thair instant taxatioun, and all wtheris taxationis and chargis,
walkis and wardis, in thair places respectiue, as tha war present thame
selfis. And the bailzeis and counsale dischargis the said provest of the
act for this part maid abefoir, tuching the personis to haue licence to
saill furth of the realme, and dispensis with him thairwpoun be thir pre-
sentis.
ISth August, 1548.
The said day, the haill tovnn beyng varnit, &c., consentit to ane taxa-
tioun to be liftit, raisit, and ouptakin of the haill inhabitantis the said
burgh and fredome thairof, for thair licence to remaine at hayme fra the
oist and army laitly proclameit to be at Gladismuir, besyd Haddintoun,
the XX day of this instant moneth of August, and chesit Walter Cullan,
George Bissat, Alexr. Gray, Dauid Kintor, and Gilbert Brabaner, to
taxt and stent the soume deuisit be the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale
thairfor, and gevin to tham thairupoun, iustlie and treulie, on the inhabi-
tantis the said burgh and fredome thairof, quhilkis personis accepit the
said office one thame, and ar some the grit ayth therto in iugment.
22rf August, 1548.
The said day, the haill tovnn beyng varnit, &c., it was deuisit and or-
dinit be thame, all in ane voce, that becaus the haill townn consentit to ane
taxatioun, for licence to the tovnn to remane at hayme fray the army and
oist, ordinit to haue conuenit on Glaudsmwir, besid Haddintoun, the xx
day of August instant, quhilk compositioun wes maid for xii" lib. Scottis
mune, and the same taxit and stentit on the inhabitantis of the said tovnn
and fredome thairof, of thair avin consent, that tha will nocht pay thair
pairt of the said taxatioun, as tha ar stentit with diligence, that the bailzeis
pund and distrenze the rediest of thair guidis and geir, quhair euer tha
may apprehend the same, and apprise and sell the same, four pennyis worth
for ane d., and mak paiment of the said taxt ; and at the said bailzeis sail
nocht be indettit to ansuer nane of the said personis for the gudis and geir
pundit, and apprisit, and sellit be thame for the causis forsaid, in maner
aboun writin, in na tymes cuming.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 263
I5th October, 1548. ISth October,
The said day, the counsale, present for the tyme, ordinit ane puncioun of ^^^•
guid wyne to be frely proponit and gevin to Robert Carnegy and Maister
Thomas Mariorebankis, one the tovnis expensis, and that for thair guid
dedis and plesouris done to the guid towne in thair besines diuerse tymes
bigane ; and als ordinit that the prouest and bailzeis, with certane wther
men of guid of the said tovnn, pas to tham and thank thame of thair guid
dedis and plesouris forsaid, and offer thame sic humaniteis therfor as tha
think expedient, and ordinit the said puntioun of wyne to be pait with the
rediest of the tovnis mone that ma be gottin in.
2c? January, 1549.
The said day, the haill tovnn beyng varnit to this day, &c., the said
prouest presentit our souerane ladyis letteris, vnder hir signet, be deliuer-
ance of the gouernour and lordis of counsale secreit, direct vpoun the burgh
of new and auld Abirdene, for the furnesing of ane hundreth pyoniris, bayth
men and vagis, for the space of ane moneth, for performing of the assege
and trynchyng for the recouering and wynning of the fortht and castele of
Bruchty, to enter the viij day of Januar instant, lik as in the said letteris
of the dait at Stirveling the xxvj day of December, and of our souerane
ladyis regne the viij yeir, direct thairupoun mair fuUely is contenit ; quhilkis
lettiris beyng red opinly in iugment, the said prouest requirit the said tovnn,
conuenit as said is, to devyise the rediest way to provid the said pyonaris
and mone to furneise tham for this guid tovnis part therof, quhilk ansuerit
and consentit to furneis iiij" pyoneris for this tovnis part of the numraer
forsaid ; and ordinit saraony abill pyoneris as ma be apprehendit within the
tovnn to be chosin and writin thairto ; and quha beis writin and disobeis, to
be bannest the tovnn ; and as to the furnesing of thame, tha ordand the
rest of thair last grit generale taxt to be tane oup incontinent to the furnes-
ing thairof ; and gif the same vill nocht extend suflficient thairto, tha con-
sentit to ane new taxt to be stentit and rasit one the haill tovnn for the fur-
nesing of the remanent therof, with all diligence, as efferis, and the rema-
nent of the said pyonaris to be furnest be auld Abirdene, as tha vill ansuer
thame self tharupoun.
17 th January, 1549.
The said day, the tovnn beyng convenit in the gild court, all in ane voce.
264 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
17th January, na maoer of persoun opponand nor sayand in the contrar, sett the office of
1549. ^tjg \iQxxd bell of the said burgh, with all proffetis, emolumentis, and acci-
dentis pertening or that ma pertene thairto vse and vont, to Patrik Lesly,
sone and air to vmquhile Walter Lesly, burges of the said burgh, for all
the dais of his liftyme, now cumyng in thair handis throw deceise of the
said Valter, last possessour thairof, quhilk had the said office of the said
tovne of Abirdene, vnder thair comraond seill, reservand allvaise all prof-
fetis, emolumentis, and accidentis of the said office to Alexr. Menzeis elder,
during all the dais of his liftyme, to be vsit, josit, and possedit be the said
Patrik and his deputis, he and his deputis doand and keipand the seruice in
his name pertening to the same vse and vont allanerlie during his liftyme,
efter the deceise of the said Alexr. Menzes allanerlie, reseruand allwayise
the haill proffetis, emolumentis, and accidentis thairof to the said Alexander
during his liftyme, he or his deputis doand and kepiand the seruice and
duyteis thairof during his liftyme ; and ordinit ane gift to be maid to the
said Patre thairwpoun for his liftyme, vnder the tovnis commond seill, and
ordinit the keparis therof to seill the said gift thairwith ; on the quhilkis
Maister Robert Lumisden, in name of the said Patrik, tuk act of court and
instrument, afor thir vitnes, John Lesly of Bolquhane, Mr. Duncane For-
bes, Maister Thomas Dauesoun, Gilbert Malysoun, Patre Menzes, Thomas
Branche, and Maister Gilbert Murray.
The said day, it is deuisit, statut, and ordinit, &c., bayth for the com-
mond vein of the inhabitantis of the said burgh, and of the nychtbouris to
landvart fechand thair victuallis to thair guid towne to sell, that frathin-
furth na maner of malt nor beir that cumis to the guid tovnn to sell be mett
in tymes cumyng hot with ane straik mesour, and the byaris to haue thair
mesour strakit allanerlie samekill as tha by, vnder the paine of eschaeting
of the haill stuf that beis fundin vthirvaise mettene and deliuerane in the
said burgh ; and to that effect ordinis the possessouris of thair tolhouise to
cause mak incontinent xij firlettis and xij pekis of the straik mett to the
effect forsaid, be the sycht of the counsale, to serue the fecharis of the said
victualis in tymes cumyng.
The said day, the haill tovnn, beyng convenit as said is in thair gild court,
consentit and war content that the personis that hes thair partis of the
Fleming schip that come last to this guid tovnn sail haue na part of the
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 265
nixt schip that hapnis to be bocht be the tovne in tyme to cum, bot the I7th January,
same to be partit amangis the remanent of the nychtbouris of the townn ^^^"
that gat na part of the geir of this schip ; and euery nychtbour to ressaue
his part therof as beis deuisit to thame be the prouest and bailzeis for the
tyme, and pay therfor as tha beis bocht for the tyme ; and the act of bying
of sic geir to remaine in sic forme, strinth, and effect as it bed abefor.
The said day, freir John Blak, collectour and procutour for the freris
predicatouris of Abirdene, producit in iugment ane chartour maid to the
said freris of five pundis Scottis mone of yeirly annuell rent, aucht to tham
of ane land lyand on the vest syid of the Schipraw of the said burgh, per-
tening now to the aires of vmquhill William Annand, of the dait vigesimo
die mensis Junii anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo septuagesimo
quarto, desirand pairaent of the said annuall rent at Elspet Annand, now
possessour of the said land ; and thairefter the said Elspet producit ane few
chartour of the said land, sett furth be the said freris predicatouris for
fourty schillingis Scottis mone of yeirly few allanerlie to thame, of the dait
nono Novembris anno Domini millesimo quingentesimo tertio ; quhilkis fourty
s. mone forsaid, the prouest and bailzeis ordinit the said Elspet to pay to
the said freris for the last tua termes immediatly preceden the dait heirof,
within viij dais, and siclik yeirlie in tymes cumyng fourty s. conforme to
the said chartour allanerly to the said freris, dischargeand the said land of
ony mair paiment to the said freris thane the said xl s. yeirly as said is,
payand all wayise the wther annuellis aucht of the said landis to the awnaris
therof vse and wont.
20th January, 1549.
The said day, the counsall, present for the tyme, ordinit the bailzeis to
compt and rakin iustly with Alexr. Ratray and Gilbert Menzeis, thair
gunnaris, and quhat thay find restand avand thame of thair seruice bigane,
iustly to mak thame and euery ane of thame paiment of thair restis re-
spectiue, of the rediest of the mone tha haif in thair handis of the tovnis
taxt, and tak thair acquittances thairwpoun ; and quhat tha deliuer thame,
thai ordand the same to be thankfully allovit to the said bailzeis respectiue,
in thair nixt comptis of thair said taxtis.
2Aih January, 1549.
The said day, Gilbert Kintor is conuikit be the some assise aboun
266 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
24th January, writin, Maister Robert Lumisdan thair chancelar, for inuading Daue
^**®' Andersoun, doctour in the grammer skuhill of the said burgh, in Sanct
Nicholace kirk of the said burgh, villand to haue strikin him ; and als
the said Daue Andersoun and John Robertsoun ar conuikit be the said
some assise, be the mouth of the said chancelar, for the out feching of
the barnis of the said grammar skuhill, and the invading of the said
Gilbert Kintor, and Dauid Kintor, his brother ; throw the quhilk invad-
ing, the said Dauid Kintor was strikin and strublit be ane scholar, callit
Skeyne, with ane tre ; quherfor ather of thame is in ane amerciament of
court, and that is gevin for dome, and the mendis heirof continewit to be
modifeit be the counsale; and the said Dauid Kintor and Master Hew
Monro ar quit of all strublance be the said assise, and Dauid Kintor
is becumin lauburrowis for his brother, Gilbert Kintor ; and als the said
Gilbert is becumin law"^** for the said Dauid, and Wm. Farquharsoun
for Maister Hew Monro, and Maister Robert Lumisden for the said
Daue Andersoun, and Richart Vatsoun for the said John Robertsoun,
that the tovnn and partys respectiue, salbe harmeles and skaythles of thame,
and all that tha ma let in tymes cumyng, hot as law vill, vnder the pane
of law.
27M January^ 1549.
The said day, the haill tovnn, being varnit, &c., chesit Maister Patre
Ruderfurd, Alexr. Gray, Gilbert Collysoun, Gilbert Brabaner, and Alexr.
Scot, taxtaris, to taxt and stent vpoun the nychtbouris and inhabitantis
the said burgh the sowme of sevintene scoir of pundis, Scottis mone, in-
cludand thairintill the restis of the last general taxt ; that is to say, to
consider and find quhat restis vnpait of the said last taxt, and to alow
the same in the first end of the said sevintene scoir lib., and to taxt the
remanent thairof, equalie and iustly, vpoun the nychtbouris of the said
burgh, efter thair saulis and consciences, and for the furnessing of four
scoir of pyonaris, to pas to Bruchty Crag, at command of our souerane
ladyis letteris direct thairupoun ; and als to propyne the gouernour now
at his first cumyng to this guid townn, quhilk is to cum heir hastely ;
quhilk personis accepit the said office one thame, and ar some the grit
ayth thairto in iugment, in presens of the haill tovnn, conuenit as said is.
5th April, 1549.
The said day, it is statut and ordinit be the haill towne, conuenit, as
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 267
said is, considering the prices of the quhit laitly bocht be the tovnn, and 5th April,
deliuerit to thair baxsteris, and als the prices of the quhit bocht be tharae ^^^•
in the cuntra, that euery baxster within this burgh baik xx vnces of guid,
clein, and weill bakin breid of quhit for tua penneis, and ten vnces weycht
for ane penny, and at the lest xviij vnces weycht of guid, fyne, and pleway
breid of quhit for tua penneis, and nyne vnces weycht for ane penny,
becaus it was considerit be the tovnn that the baxsteris mycht weill gif
XX vnces for tua pennies, and tene vnces for ane penny, nochtwithstanding
tha makand guid breid of xviii for twa penneis, and ix vnces for ane
penny, and na less the tovnn wald ouer se thame, quhill tha war forder
auisit. And quhasumeuer dois in the contrar, and his breid be fundin
of less paise thane xviij vnce for tua d., and nyne vnce for ane penny,
the haill breid sua fundin to be eschatit and delt be the bailzeis, as tha
sail think expedient for the tyme ; and als, that na bread of quhit be
sellit nor disponit to na maner of persoun within the burgh, nor with-
out the same, quhill it first be weyit be the bailzie of the quarter, gif he
ma be apprehendit for the tyme, and gif he ma nocht be apprehendit, be
ane wther bailze, or at the lest be the officiar of the quarter where the
said baxster duellis, vnder the same paine.
The said day, it is statut and ordinit be the haill townn, conuenit as
said is, that na maner of fischis, keling, nor salmond, be maid in grit, saltit
nor pelit, in tyme cumyng, be na maner of persoun within this burgh, hot
be fremen of the gild allanerlie, and quhair ony keling or salmond beis
fundin saltit or pelit in the contrar, the haill sua fundin to be eschait to
the tovnis vtilite and vse ; and als, that na salmond fische be bocht in
tyme cumyng be na maner of persoun within this burgh, quhill tha be
presentit to the mercat corce of the said burgh, and thair opinlie sellit and
bocht ; and at na fische be presentit to the said mercat be coparis, bot
be avnaris thairof and thair avin seruandis allanerly. And quhatsumeuer
person apprehendis ony salmond fische sellit in the contrar heirof, the
haill fische sua apprehendit to be eschaitit, and the apprehendar thairof to
haue the thrid of the same to his avin vtilite and vse, and the wther tua
pairt to be applyit and disponit to the tovnis vtilite and vse, but ony re-
quest to be hard in the contrar.
30th April, 1549.
The said day, the haill tovnn, being conuenit, &c., consentit and or-
268 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
30th April, dinit that the four bailzeis pas this day efter novn with his officiar, euery
1549. ane throw his avin quartar, and consider and wesy euery nychtbour thair-
of quhay hes fensabill geir and vappynnis for thair defence aganis our auld
ennemeis of Ingland, and cause writ sa mony as tha find boddin in maner
forsaid ; and quhay tha find vantand that ma furneis the same, to charge
thame to prouid and furneis the same within tene dais nixt heirefter, and
failzeing thairof, that the said bailzeis cause prouid the same one the said
personis expensis, sa mony as ma furneiss the same, ilk ane efferand to
thair avin estait and substance.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, counsale, and communite of Abir-
dene, conuenit, &c., deuisit, statut, and ordinit, for defence of this guid
town aganis our auld ennemies of Ingland, considdering the present danger
the same now presently standis intill, that all maner of fremen of this guid
town, now presently remanand to landvart, cum to this guid townn and
enter thairintill the first day of May nixt cumis, and thaireftir to remaine
continualy thairintill, and scot, lot, walk, and ward, and beir chargis thair-
of as wther nychtbouris, quhill Mychtelmes nixt cumis, as danger apperis.
And quhay nocht [apperis] the said day, to the effect for said, tha ordand
the bailzie of the quarter quhair tha duell, to tak samekle of the rediest of
thair geir, other of thair gudis, malis of thair landis or fischingis, or ony
wther maner of profl&eit tha haue within the said burgh, and fee and
vageor in thair rowme, on thair expensis that cumis nocht and remainis
nocht as said is, for ane moneth nixt thaireftir, and sua furth monethly, aye
and quhill tha cum and mak the said residence, as said is, during the tyme
forsaid, as danger apperis, and ordinis oppin proclaraatioun to be maid
heirof at the mercat corce of the said burght, quhilk wes done opinlie this
day thairat, in presens of the maist part of the said tovnn.
The said day, the haill tovnn, conuenit for the maist pairt in the heid
court, as said is, deuisit and ordinit ane vaiche of tuenty personis to enter
this nycht, and thairefter to continew nychtly during the tovnis vill, and
ordinit the bailzeis to cast cavillis quhair the same sail begyne ; and at
euery man vaiche himself as he beis varnit, and na wtheris to be admittit nor
ressauit for him, except it salbe lesum to thame that ar agit and vnabill to
send thair eldest sone, quhen it fallis to thame, in thair place, and nane
wtheris that hes ony sonnis to send. And ordinis this ordinance to be
obseruit and keipit, vnder the panis contenit in the statut maid heirupoun
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 269
abefor, viz., xx s. of ilk persone that trangressis the same, to be applyit as 30th April.
is contenit in the statut maid heirupoun abefor. 15^9.
17 th June, 1549.
The said day, the counsale, present for the tyme, chesit Andro Buk
maister and cair berar of the tovnis artailzerie and graytht thairof, and
giding of the same, and to provid furnesing and all necessaris thairto, one
the townis expenssis, vnder Gilbert Menzeis, younger, bailze, quhilk salbe
principale maister thairof during the tovnis vill ; and ordinis the said Andro
to provid all necessaris for the said artailzere, sic as stokkis, cartis, bullatis,
bandis, weggis, and fesnyngis, and to put the said four gunnaris diligently
in lawbouris thairto, as the said Gilbert and he sail think expedient, be the
sycht of the counsale ; and als ordinit the said Andro to haue for his law-
bouris done to the towne in tymes bygane, and for this instant symmer,
quhill Mertimes nixt cumis, fourty crownis of the sone of weycht ; and or-
dinis the tovnis ressaueris of thair taxtis to pay him the same of the first
end thairof, and the same to be thankfully alovit to tham in thair nixt
comptis tharof.
2Ut June, 1549.
The said day, the counsale, present for the tyme, ordinit and gaif com-
mand to Thomas Menzeis, thair prouest, to conduce and tak one ane capi-
tane, with ane hundreth men of weir thairof, fifty halkbutaris, and fifty speir
men, of the sobirest and maist conuenient price he mycht apprehend thame,
for the tovnis veill, for tua monethis to cum, begynnand one the first day of
July that nixt cumis ; and obleigit that quhat he promittis and dois thairin-
till, to releif him thairof, in the haill tovnis name, and to hald ferme and
stabill quhat euer he dois thairintill.
9th August, 1549.
The said day, it is statut and ordinit be the prouest, bailzies, and coun-
sale, present for the tyme, in presens of the maist pairt of the baxsteris of
this guid tovnn, havand respect to the prices that the quhit gevis for the
tyme in this tovnn, viz., xxxij s., or xxxiiij s. at the maist, that thair be na
manner of iiij d. breid bakin within this tovnn frathinfurth, vnder the pane of
eschaeting of the same, hot allanerly tua penny breid and penny breid, that
be guid stuf, fresche, veill bouttit, and without mixtiour, and ueill bakin ;
2 M
270 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
9th Aug.. the prise of the tua penny breid xiij vnce, and penny breid vij vnces ; and
1549. gif Qjjy breid beis fundin incontrar heirof quhen it is weyit be the bailzie,
thane and in that caise it salbe lesura to the said bailzeis that apprehendit it
to eschait and daill the same to the purale for thair contentioun, without
ony forder calling, accusing, or conuikit of thame ; and als tha statut and or-
dinit that all maner of flower, quhit, ry, and ry meill that hapnis to cum to
the tovn frathinfurth one the avin auentour, that the baxsteris of this guid
tovne sail haue the same, of the same price the towne hapnis to by the same,
sa far as tha ma loise araangis thame, and pay the fremmit men thankfully,
and na wther man to haue ony part tharof quhill the said baxsteris re-
fuise it.
^th October, 1549.
The said day, it is deuisit, statut, and ordinit be the haill counsale, pre-
sent for the tyme, that thair be [na] stuff met with the tovnis comraond met
frathinfurth within this burgh, except the gudis and geir of fremmit men
cummand to the tovn of thair auentour, and bocht be the nychtbouris of the
towne ; and ordinis the prouest, quhilk hes the cair of the said mesour a«
takisman to the townn, to cause the same to be obseruit and keipit in tymes
cuming, as he will ansuer thairupoun to the said town.
The said day, the counsale, present for the tyme, ordanit thair four gun-
naris to be obeyit and pait of thair vagis bigane vnpait of the rediest of the
tovnis last taxt restand vnpait or in the bailzeis handis, and dischargis
euery ane of thame of monethly wagis frathinfurth ; and samony of thame as
vill serue for tuenty pundis be yeir, tha ordinit thame to be conducit, and
to haue guid paiment of the said xx lib. for the said yeris seruice, and to
enter instantly in the said seruice, and to haue thair first paiment therof at
Mertimes nixt cumis ; and thaireftir Alex. Ratray, ane of the said gun-
naris, instantly accepit the said fee, and oblegit him to serue the said tovnn
lelilie and treulie in the said office tharfor during the said yeir.
1th October, 1549.
The said day, Cloyse Wan Holing, skipar of ane schip of Hamburgh,
Henry Smyth, botisman thairof, Cloisse Fultmeir, Benedict Tymmerman,
and Clement Tekay, wer conuikit in iugment be the some assise aboun writin,
admittit be thame in ingment, and some in thair presens be the pronuncia-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 271
tion of Dauid Andersoun, thair chancelar, for the violent and vranguss 7th October.
takin, handling, strubling, bluid dravin, and binding of William Portuuss, ^^^
vnder silence [of nycht,] and at tha had ofiendit thairthrow, fyrst, to the
quenis grace of Scotland, in the taking, handling, and binding of the said
William at thair avin hand with ony ordour of law or iustice, he beand hir
fre liege and subdict ; secondly, to the guid tovnn of Abirdene, doand sic
offensis at thair awin hand within the fredome and iurisdictioun thairof ;
thirdly, to the said Wm. himself, doand sic strublance and offensis to him
in maner forsaid, quharfor tha and ilkane of thame is in ane amerciament of
court to forbeir in tyme to cum, and mend as law vill, and that is gevin for
dovme, and the mendis heirof continewit to the morne to be modefeit be
the prouest, bailzeis, and consale, sa far as concernis thame ; and Andro
Craufurd yovnger, and Alexr. Galloway, ar becumin souerte for the en-
teres of the said skipar and personis forsaid ; and the bailzeis continewit the
prouunciatioin of the allegit strublance done be the said Scottismen to the
said Hamburgh men to the morne ; and ordinit the said Scottismen elikvise
for thair enteres the said day, to sett cautioun or tha departit of the tol-
buyth ; and thairefter the saidis Andro Crawfurd and Alexr. Galloway be-
come sourteis for the said Hamburgh men for making of thair mendis for
the premisses as hapnis to be modifeit and deuisit be the prouest, bailzeis,
and counsale for the tyme.
The said day, it is deuisit, statut, and ordinit be the prouest, bailzeis,
counsale, and coramunite present for the tyme, for the veill of landuart men
that cumis with thair victuallis to the guid tovnn to sell thairat, thair be na
maner of sampillis nor scheit schakkynnis tane fray thame in tymes cumyng
of thair victuallis, and at the sellar be nocht indettit to deliuer his victuale
sellit be him to na wther maner of persoun bot to the byar thairof allaner-
lie with the selit mesour of the towne, with ane pek to ilk he sells allanerlie,
and wther maner of thing, and ordinis proclamatioun to be maid heirof at
the mercat croce of the said burgh.
Sth October, 1549.
The said day, Thomas Quhit was conuikit abefor for the strublance of
Dauid Reid, officiar, in the executioun of his office, and for the strublance
of Duncane Freser, and ryving of his tirleise of his vyndok, and strik oup
of the same, vnder silence of nycht, is maid and ordinit be the provest,
272 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
8th October, bailzeis, and counsale, to cum on Sonday cum viij dais, in the tyme of the
^**®' hie mess, within the queir of the said burgh, bair feit and bair heid, with
ane candill of ane lib. of vax in his hand, and thair to sit done on his bair
kneis, and thair first to ask the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale forgifens,
and secundly the said David Reid, officiar, and thirdly the said Duncane
Fresser, of the said ofFensis, and oflPer the said candill to Sanct Nicholace
lycht, and to sett cautioun for tene lib. Scottis mone to Sanct Nicholace
vark, gif euer he committis siclik fait to ony officiar or nychtbour within
this burgh ; and als to satisfe and pleis the said officiar and harbour for
curing of him ; and als to mend the skayth done be him to the said Freseris
tirleis and vindak, and to set cautioun for the same or he departit of the
tolbuith, and John Tulidef zovnger is becumin souerte for the said Quhit
for fulfilling of all the premisses.
lUh October, 1549.
The said day, Cloise Van Holing, skipar of the Hamburgh schip, re-
ferrit the amendis of the ofFensis done be him and his marenellis and childer
to William Pertuuss, in the takin and burding of him, and the amendis of
the oflfence done to the tovn of Abirdene, to the modificatioun of the coun-
sale present for the tyme, and wes content, how euer the said counsale
modefeit therfor, to pay the same. And thaireftir the counsale modi-
feit the said amendis to the said William Portuuss, in all thingis, to xx
merkis, and the amendis to the towne to tene pundis Scottis mone, and
ordinit Andro Crawfurd and Alexr. Galloway, cautioneris for the said
Hamburgh men, to pay the said sovmes to the party and the tovnis denis
of gild, in thair names respectiue, within viij dais, and remittit the laif
thairof for luf and kindnes of the tovne of Hamburgh and inhabitantis
thairof, and for thair saik allanerlie.
I4th October, 1549.
Marie, be the grace of God queue of Scottis, to the prouest and bailzeis
of our burgh of Abirdene, greting : Forsamekle as we, with avise and
consent of our derrest cousing and tutour, James Erie of Arrane, Lord
Hammyltoun, &c., protectour and gouernour of our realme, hes dispensit, and
be thir our letteris dispensis, with our louit Thomas Nicholsoun, vpoun hes
minorite and less aige, to the effect that he ma be enterit, be cursable brewis
of our chapell, as nerrest tutour of law to Dauid Arrot, sone and air of vm-
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 273
quhill Dauid Arrot, burges of our said burgh, siclik and als lauchtfuUy in I4th October,
all thingis as and he war of lauchtfuU aige of xxv yeris, notwithstanding ^^^•
that he is yit of less aige ; quhairwpoun we dispense with him as said is,
and siclik with yow and with the personis that sal hapin to be and pas vpon
the inquest for serving of the breuis of our chapell, rasit or to be rasit be
him. Our vill is herfor, and we charge yow straitly and commandis that in-
continent thir our letteris sene, ye mak the breif or breuis of tutorie of our
chapell, purchest or to be purchest be the said Thomas, direkit to yow in
his less aige forsaid, to be lauchtfullie proclamit and dewlie seruit, siclik
and als lauchtfully in all poyntis, be vertew of this our dispensacioun, as he
wer of lauchtfull aige ; anent quhais non aige we haif dispensit, and be thir
presentis dispensis with yow and personis of inquest, as said is, and will
that nane of tham salbe summond, callit, or accusit for vilfull or ignorant
errour therfor, renunciand all actioun that we may haue or move aganis
thame thairthrow for euer be thir our letteris. Subscriuit be our said
derrest gouernour, and gevin vnder our signet, at Edinburgh, the aucht
day of September, and of our regne the sevint yeir. James, G""-
17 th October, 1549.
The said day, it is deuisit, statut, and ordinit be the prouest, bailzeis,
and counsale present for the tyme, for eschewing of the contagius pest now
ringand burgeand in diuerse partis, that gif ony maner of persoun or per-
sonis hapnis to tak ony maner of seiknes frathinfurth that the guidman or guid
vif of that house cause reveill the same to the prouest or ane bailze, or at
the lest to ane officiar, within vj houris nixt efter tha be seik, vnder the paine
of bannesing of the concelaris thairof the tovnn, and eschaeting of thair haill
geir to the tovnis vse, without request to be hard in the contrar ; and that
thaireftir, quhair ony seiknes beis fundin, that the haill houshald quhair it
is fundin be inclusit, and thaireftir remaine inclusit, sa lang as tha get
charg thairto, vnder the same paine.
Item, that na maner of persoun within this tovnn, of quhat degre that
euer tha be, pas to vessy, speik, or comraond with ony inclusit personis, or
ony folkis in the linkis, or minister thame ony wyueris or necessaris, with-
out tha haue licence of the prouest or ane bailzie tharto, and ane officiar of
the tovnn with thame, vnder the paine of inclusing of thame with the same
personis to quhom tha pas.
274 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
17th October, Item, that how soun ony persoun, zovng or auld, dels in ony house, that
1*^ the haill houise be removit, viz. the personis duelland thairintill, to sic
places as the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale sail think expedient, and that
within xxiiij houris efter the deceise of the said persoun.
Item, that the personis that hapnis to be put to the linkis that ar ser-
uandis, that thair raaisteris sail susteine thame in the linkis, gif tha haue
geir to sustein thame vpoun.
Item, that all the swyne within this tovnn be removid and devidit of the
tovnne, or ellis haldin and kepit fast in houssis, within xlviij houris efter,
vnder the pane of eschaeting of thame that beis fundin gangand one the
gait thairefter, to be disponit to the folkis in the Linkis, as the bailzeis
and counsale sail think expedient ; and at all thame that hes any dogis
keip thame cloise in band in thair houssis. And gif dogis beis fundin
gangand one the gait, it salbe lesum to ony persoun to slay thame, quhair
euer tha may apprehend thame.
Item, at thair be hot ane kirk dur of the parroche kirk oppin ilk day
frathinfurth, during the tyme of this pest, and that the segrestar keep the
same, and that he lat na maner of purale enter in the kirk, hot to remane
at the kirk dur, and seik thair almous, vnder the pane of bannessing him
the tovnn ; and that all the puralis within this tovnn be conuenit be the
hand bell the morne in the kirk yard, and the bailzeis to pas and vesy and
consider thame, and samony as tha find natiue to the tovnn, to gif thame
ane takin of the tovnis armes to veir on thair breist, and charge all the
laif that beis nocht admittit be the bailzeis, to remove them within xxiiij
houris thairefter, vnder the pane of burning of thame with ane hett jrne
of the cheik that beis fundit thairefter.
The said day, it is statut and ordinit be the prouest, baillies, and coun-
sale, present for the tyme, that na maner of takismen of the tovnis land
takis, birne, ryif out, wyne of new, ony landis within the fredome, and saw
cornis thairon, without thair teill ryge of auld, without licence of the
prouest, baillies, counsale, and communite requirit and obtenit thairto,
vnder the pane of tinsale of thair takis that dois in the contrar, and beis
conuikit thairof.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 276
Ath November^ 1549. 4th November,
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale, present for the tyme, ^^^^•
licent Maister Hew Monro to pas to his luging quhair he dwelt afor, with
his vif, seruandis, and barnis, sua tha reraanit viij dais nixt heirefter in-
clusit, and come nocht furth nor ressaue nane of his guid moderis hous-
hald in thair houise, and als handlit and vsit all the geir in the houise and
biging, and mak fayth thairupoun. And forder, to remane quhill tha gat
licence of the counsale to pas furth in braid. And als licent Jonat Anand,
his guid modir, and hir seruandis and barnis, to pas furth to kirk and
raerkat to thair lesum besines, sua that nane of thame pas to the said
Maister Hewis, nor yit ressaue nane of his in her houise. And als tha
licent Gilbert Kintor to put in his seruandis and barnis in his houise
sua tha remane still inclusit for viij dais, and handill and vse the geir that
is thairin ; and siclik licent Jonat Moyses, and hir seruandis and barnis,
to pas to hir house, and to remane inclusit for viij dais, and forder, in-
during the counsalis vill, and that tha handill and vse all the geir thair-
intill as tha vill mak fayth thairwpoun.
I5th November, 1549.
My lord prouest and bailzeis of this guid tovnn of Abirdene, onto your
1[ ], humelie menis and complanis, I, your nychtbour and com-
burges, Dauid Low, vpoun Janis Lame, relict and intromettour with the
geir and gudis of vmquhile Alexr. Duncane, that quhair the said Alexr.
the tyme of his deceise, quhilk wes in the moneth of May last by past, in
anno xlix yeris, beand avand to me viij lib. of mone vsuale of Scotland,
for certane colwering, pulder, and velwet bocht and ressauit be him fray
tyme afor his deceise, I send Jonat Lesly, my wif, to the said Janis, im-
mediatly efter the said Alexanderis deceise, for the said sovme of mone,
to Jonat Annandis house, moder to the said Janis, quhair my said vif
apprehendit the said Janis, and requirit the said mone that the said
Alexr. was avand to me, and the said Janis ansuerit, as efter foUowis :
Dame, I ame gritly behaldin to Dauid Low, your hisband, and I thank
him gritly that is nocht sa extreme to me as wtheris is that hes causit
arrest my geir, and lok my durris ; grit ressoun war that he war thankfully
pait. I know my hisband aucht him tene lib. for velvet and poulder, and
I sail outred him and pay him thankfully, for my hisband hes left aneucht
to pay all his dettis. And the said Jonat, my spouse, ansuerit, that he
276 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
isth Nov., was avand bot viij lib. to me, and I vald not craif nor tak mair nor it was,
1549. f-Qj. j^jj jjjg ggjp J jjgjj . j^jj(j ^jjjg confessioun and promeis of payment ves
maid befor diuerse famous vitnes in the said moneth of May or thairby.
And thairefter the said Janis desirit part of the said sovme to be remittit
forgevin and dischargit to hir, and sche vald mak me thankfull paiment ;
and, becaus I refusit to remitt ony tharof, the said Janis, nochtwithstanding
of hir promeise aboun writin, refusis, postponis, and deferris vrangusly,
to mak me paiment of the said sovme, albeit sche grantit diuerse tymes to
mak me paiment therof, nor yet intendis to do, without sche be compellit
be iustice herto. Beseikand your 1[ ], &c.
I6th December, 1549.
The said day, Alexr. Jaffray, John Foullis, Charle Dauesoun, Duncane
Colle, George Andersoun, and Jonat Ancroft, baxstaris, tha and ilk ane
of thame is conuikit be the some assise aboun writin, for the brakin of
commond ordinance and statutis of this guid tovne, in selling of breid of
quhit of less prise thane the statutis maid thairwpoun, and of insufficient
stuf, quherfor ilk ane of thame is in ane amerciament of the court, and
that is gevin for dovme. And the bailzeis ordinit the officiaris to pas in-
continent and pund every ane of thame therfor, and als thame all in iug-
ment to keip the said statutis, and to baik and sell xiiij vnce of guid, clein,
dry, and veill bakin fresche stuf for ij d., and to haue breid rady at all
tyme to serue the tovne sa lang as tha haue stuf, vnder the pane of es-
chaeting of the haill braid fundin with thame for the tyrae.
I4tk April, 1550.
The said day, Maister Hew Monro, maister of the grammer skuilhill of
Abirden, resignit, renuncit, and ouer gaif, puirlie and simplile, in the pro-
uestis handis in iugment, in name of the haill towne, the office of the gram-
mer skuilhill of the said burgh, with all proffetis, casualiteis, and accidentis
thairof for euer, to be disponit be the said town as thai thocht expedient ;
for the quhilkis the haill tovnn, conuenit as said is, grantit, gaif, and as-
signit fourty pundis Scottis mone to the said Maister Hew, to be pait to
him at thir termes foUoving : that is to say, tuenty pundis at Vitsounday
nixt cumis, tene pundis at Mertimes nixt cumis, and vther tene at Vitson-
day nixt therefter, in the yeir of God j" fifty ane yeiris, in compleit pai-
ment of the said fourty pundis ; and ordinit Dauid Mar, ane of thair denis
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 277
of gild, to pay him the same of the radiest of the tovnis mone intrometit uth April,
with be him, and ordinit the same to be alovit to him in his nixt comptis. ^^^•
I8th April, 1550.
The said day, the townn beyng convenit in thair gild court for the maist
part, representand the haill tovnn, nemmit and elekit Maister James Chal-
mer, all except vij or [viij] personis, to be maister of thair grammer skuil-
hill, now vacand in thair handis be renunciatioun and dimissioun thairof be
Maister Hew Monro, last maister of the same, and gaif thair guid villis
tharof to the said Maister James induring the townis vill, and presentit him
as abill therto to the chancelar of Abirdene to be admittit be him therto as
vse hes bene tharrof in tymes bigane ; one the quhilkis the prouest tuik act
of court and instrument.
The said day, the counsale ordinit all the chaplanis of the tovnis funda-
tionis to be varnit to comper afor thame the morne in the chaptour of thair
parroche kirk, and bring with thame euery ane for thame self the challesis,
vestimentis, and ornamentis thairof, to be sane be thame that tha may caus
mak inuintour thairof to be keipit to the vsis of the altaragis thairof in tymes
cuming.
8^^ August, 1550.
The said day, the haill tovnn beyng varnit, &c., chesit Thomas Menzeisj
thair prouest, and Gilbert Menzeis elder, ane of thair bailzeis for the tyme,
thair commissaris to convein with the laif the commissaris of burrovis at
Edinburgh, the xiiij day of August instant, with continuatioun of dais, to
consult and determine with thame for the liberie and fredome of burrovis of
this realme, and preuileges thairof, and als anent the direking of sum com-
missar for the burrovis to Flandris, with the ambassatouris that passis thair
for treting of pece for the veill of the said burrovis, and ordinis ane com-
missioun to be maid to tham thairwpoun, vnder the tovnis commond seill >
and alse ordinis the counsale to devise [quhat] tha suld haue to mak thair
expensis thair, and quhair and how the same suld be gottin to thame with
diligence ; and als tha ordand the said Gilbert Menzeis to mak the townis
compi in this present chakar, as he that is the tovnis collectour for the tyme.
The said day, the tovnn beyng conuenit as said is, Maister John
2 N
278 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
8th August. Kennedy, resignit and ouergaif his office of the bellis of the tovn, in the
1550. g^j(j tonnis handis, in fauouris of Andro Malysoun, sone to Gilbert Mali-
sone, burges of the said burgh, condicionaly, that is to say, the promeise
and prouisioun of Sanct John the Evangelist altar, within the p.aroche
kirk of Abirdene, maid to him abefor be the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale
of this guid tovnn, quhen it hapnit to vaik, being obseruit and keipit to him ;
and for that cause he resignit the said office of secrastary and bellis in the
said tovnis handis, and vthervais nocht. And thairefter, the tovnn beyng
conuenit as said is, gaif the said office of bellis and secrastary to the said
Andro during his liftym, with all proflFetis and emolumentis pertening thairto
vse and vont, he doand or causand do the seruice thairof eflFerand to the same
vse and vont ; on the quhilk the said Gilbert, his fader, tuik act of court
and instrument in his name. Vitnes, Thomas Nicholsoun, Alexr. Menzeis
zovnger, and Patre Gray.
5th September i 1550.
The said day, the haill tovnn, beyng varnit, &c., chesit Thomas Nichol-
soun yovnger, James CoUisoun, Andro Crawfurd yovnger, Thomas
Murray, and Dauid Low, the tovnis taxtaris, to taxt and stent vpon the
fremen and inhabitantis of the said tounn the sovme of tua hundreth and
tuenty sax crovnis of the sone of weycht, for this guid tovnis part of ane
gritar sovme of mone, deuisit be the gouernour and lordis of secreit coun-
sale to be raisit and ouptakin of the haill burrovis of this realme, for fur-
nesing of ambassiatouris to pas to the eraperour for treting of pace betuix
him and his subditis and this realme, efter the forme and tennour of our
souerane ladyis letteris direct heirwpoun ; quhilk personis accepit the said
mater one thaim, and ar some to tax the same lelile and treuly with all
diligence, on the quhilk the prouest tuik act of court and instrument.
IQth October, 1550.
The said day, the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale, present for the tyme,
grantit, gaif, and assignit to thair louit Maister James Chalmer, maister of
thair grammar skuill, tene raerkis Scottis mone of yeirly pentioun, to be
pait to him yeirly, in the tovnis name, be thair denis of gild, at tua vsuale
termes in the yeir, viz., Mertimes and Vitsonday, be tua evinly portionis,
and begynnand the first paiment thairof at Mertimes nixt curais, and
therefter to induir and continew during the said tovnis vill, and that for the
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 279
said Maister James guid seruice, to be maid be him in the said skuill, loth October,
in teching, lerning, giding, and revling the barnis thairof, for the commond ^^^'
veil! of the said burgh.
The said day, it is statut and ordinit be the said counsale, that euery
nychtbour of this guid tounn, that hapnis to be varnit be thair secrestar
lauchtfully to pas with Sanct Nicholace braid, thair patroun, and passis
nocht with the same the day he is varnit to pas thairwith, [nocht] haiffand
lauchfull impediment, that he sail pay als mekle to Sanct Nicholace verk as
the braid was on the Sonday immediat preceden the Sonday he beis
varnit to pas thairwith, vnforgevin.
Item, it is statut and ordinit be the said counsale, that na maner of bro-
star within this tovnn sell ony aill derrar in tymes cumyng, quhill tha be
forder auisit, thane xx d. or ij s. at the maist the gallown of fremennis
viffis, and xvj d. the galloun of vnfremennis, vnder the pane of eschaeting
of the same that beis fundin sellit in the contrar.
24th November, 1550.
The said day, the counsale, present for the tyme, cousentit to propyne
the gouernouris grace, now at first cuming to this guid tovnn, with ane
hundreth merkis Scottis, to be gevin to his grace at his cumyng to this guid
townn, in wyne, wax, and spisareis ; and becaus tha had na mony for the
tyme to do the same, the prouest, Thomas Menzeis, oblegit him to gif
twenty pundis of the mail of his tak of Bogfarlo, in forraaling ; and Alexr.
Ruderfurd twenty pundis of the maill of his tak of Rubislaw, in formaling ;
and Thomas Chalmer twenty of the maill of his tak of Gardyne, in forma-
ling, to the furnesing of the said propine, to be alovit to thame yeirly in the
malis of thair said takis respectiue, quhill the said soumes be compleitly
furth runin, yeirly alovand to euery ane of thame and thair aires the malis
thairof as tha pay now ; quhilk the counsale ordinit to be done, and thankit
thame for kindness schavin and done to the tovnn thairintill.
I4th April, 1552.
The said day, the counsell, all in ane voce, havand respect and consider-
atioune that the lordis of Bonnacord in tymes bygane base maid our mony
grit, sumpteous, and superfleous banketing induring the tyme of thair
280 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
14th April. regHD, and specialie in May, quhilks wes thocht nother profitabill nor godlie,
^^^ and did hurt to sundry young men that wer elekit in the said oflBce, becaus
the last elekit did aye pretent to surmont in thair predecessouris in thair
ryetouss and sumpteous banketing, and the causs principal and gud institu-
tioun thairof, quhilk wes in balding of the gud toun in glaidnes and blythtnes,
witht danssis, farsiis, playis, and gamis, in tymes convenient, necleckit and
abusit ; and thairfor ordinis that in tyme cummin all sic sumpteous banketing
be laid doun aluterlie except thre sobir and honest, vizt., upoun the senze
day, the first Sonday of May, and ane [ ] upoun Tuisday efter
Pasche day, and na honest man to pass to ony of thair banketis except on
the said thre dais allanerlie ; and in ane place of the forsaid superfleouss
banketing to be had and maid yeirly to generall plais, or ane at the lest,
with danssis and gammes usit and wont ; and quha souer refuisis to accept
the said office in tyme curaing, beand elekit thairto be the toun, to tyne his
fredome, priuelege, takis, and profit he hes or ma haf of the toun, and neuer
to be admittit frathinfurtht to office, honour, nor dingnete.
27th May, 1552.
The said day, the prouest, bailies, and counsel, present for the tyme,
ordanit the sax pound of Johnne Robertsons compositioun for his freman-
schip, and the nixt compositioune of ony burgess of gild that hapinis to be
maide, of grit or small degre, to be gewin to Patre Menzes and Thomas
Nicholsoune, lordis of Bonnacord of this instant yeir, to help to mak mair
expensis, be ressoune that thai ar put to grytar coist this yeir nor utheris
that bar office before thaim hes bene put to, and that be ressoune of cum-
myng of the quenis grace, my lord governor, and the maist of the lords and
grit men of this realme, presently to this toun.
24th March, 1544.
The said day, the four baillies and the maist pairt of the counsell being
conwenit in the cheptour of Sanct Nicolace kirk of Aberdene, the saidis
baillies exponit, in presens of the said counsell, qhow thai were chargit
laitly, vpone the xxiij day of Merche instant, be Thomas Nicolsoune, schiref
in that pairt, be vertew of our souerane ladyis letteris, gewin be deliuerance
of the lordis of counsell, directit thairwpone, to tak and apprehend Johnne
Chalmer, burges of the said burgh, quha presently, as is allegit, is in ane
fury and raige of wodnes, and dailie molestand and perturband this toune
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 281
and the inhabitantis thairof, and to fesin and keip him in jrnis, gyf neid 24th March,
war, the said Johne, quhill he com to his awin wit, lyk as in the saidis ^^^^"
letteris at mair lynth is contenit, and desyrit the consultatioune and adwys-
ment of the said consell thairanent, with thair concurrence and assistance,
gif thai think the same ressonable to be done ; quhilk consell, all in ane voce,
except Gilbert CoUisoune, eftir ripe advysement, declairit and thocht expe-
dient that the saidis baillies suld tak and apprehend the said John Chal-
mer, and put him in custodie in stark lokfast hows, with vyttaris and vaych-
earis to awyt and keip him fra doing of skayth and forther perturbatioune,
and thaireftir, gyf neid were, to fesin and keip him in irnis quhile he re-
turne to his wit, and offerit to assist and concur with the saidis bailies to
execute the same in caice ony wald resist the doing therof, and that for
eschewing of appearand skaith, danger, harme, and inconvenientis to be
done be the said Johnne in tyme cumyng.
The said day, Gilbert CoUisoune, bailzie, tuik act and instrumentis that
he disassentit to the taking and fesnyng of Johnne Chalmer, and protestit
that he be nocht haldin as participant of the doing therof.
I8th June, 1554.
The said day, the haill toun, beand convenit for the maist part, consentit
to the obseruatioune and contract maid betuix Patrik Menzes, den of gild,
one the ane part, and Wm. Jamesone, masoun, one the other part, anent
the bigging, beyting, and mending of the battelling and alering of the tol-
buith, and reforming and mending of tua vindowis therof, the said Williame
findand suflBcient hewyn stanes to the haill wark, with the tabill stane of the
gavillis, and makand the said tolbuith vattirthicht, sa far as concernis the
mason craft ; for the quhilkis the said den of gild sell gif him xl poundis, he
findand souertie for compleiting of the said wark suflBciently, efter the
forme and tennour of the said contract maid betuix the saidis parties ther-
upoun.
9th July, 1554.
The said day, the prouest, bailies, and consall, present for the tyme, ra-
tifiit and apprewit the contract maid betuix Patrik Menzes, den of gild, and
Williame Jamesone, raasone, anent the mending of the tolbuith for the
sowme of fourty poundis, as the said contract beiris. Nochtwithstanding
282 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
9th July, the said Patrik be bound and oblist to the said Williame for payment of the
^^^^ said sowme, thai oblesis thame that he sell nocht deburse nane of his
awin proper money, hot saraekle as he intromettis with and is addettit to
mak compt of induring the tyme of his office ; and gif he inlaikis ony of the
said fourty lib., and vngettable of his office, thai oblissis thame inlykraaner
faythfuUie to releiff him therof, at the handis of the said Williame, and all
vtheris quhome it efferis, prowyding that he allow to the said Vrilliame in
payment of his lawbour fywe pound in part of payment of nyne pound,
quhilk the said Williame is acht for obefor to the toune ; and forther, quhat
expenssis the said Patrik makis, attour the said forty poundis, vpoune lym,
sand, and vther necessaris for the compleiting of the said contract, the saidis
provest, baillies, and counsell, in name of the haill toune, obleigis thame to
refound and pay the samin to the said Patrik eftir the heiring of his compt.
24tk February/, 1555.
The said day, Johnn Sandris, cowper, and Margarett Johnstoune, his
spous, wes convickit in judgement, [by] the depositiounes of diuerse famose
witnes, for the strublens, stryking, and bluidrawing of Thomas Gellane and
Katherine Blaklawis, his wyfe ; quharfor thai war in amerciament of court
to forbeir in tyme cuming and amend as law will, and that wes gewin for
dome, and the saidis Thomas and Katherine wer maid quit in judgement
of all strublens of the saidis personis. And thaireftir the baillies modifiit
the emendis of the said strublens as efter following : that is to say, thai
ordanit the said Johnne and his spous forsaid to pay to the said Thomas
Gellane xx s. Scottis, and to pay the harbour for the mending and curing
of his woundis, within viij dayse ; and alse to cum on Sonday nixt cuming
to Sanct Nicholace parroche kirk, in the queir therof, in the tyme of hie
mess, with ane candill of vax in euerie ane of thair handis, and thair to sit
doune on thair kneis, in presens of the guid men of the toun, and ask the
said Thomas and his wyf forgifnes ; and gif euer thai be conuickit for siclyk
in tyme cumyng, to pay tene markis to be applyit to Sanct Nicholace wark
oneforgewin.
23d March, 1555.
The said day, James Mwllok grantit and confessit and judgement, him
to haf sauld to Johnne Masone ane hors, blak-broune mowitt, with ane bell
in the forrett, for the sowme of fywe merkis vj s. viij d. Scottis mone, of
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 283
the qubilk sowme he grantit him to haf resauit fra the said Johnn xx s. in 23d March,
part of payment ; and becaus the said Johnne desyrit brocht and hamball ^^^•
of the said James for the said horse, he wes content that the rest of the
said fywe merk vj s. viij d., viz. four mark, suld remane in the said Johnnis
handis for the space of ane yeir eftir the dait herof, in caice the said horse
be challangit fra him, and gif sua beis, he to warrand him the said hors, pro-
wyding alwaise that the said Johnn Masone find the said James sufficient
souertie that the said sowme salbe be furthcumand to him at the said yeris
end ; quha fand Androw Huntar, cautioner and souerte for the samen, and
Gilbert Menzeis elder, become souerte, and oblist him to releif the said
Androw of the said souertie in caice forsaid.
lOth April, 1555.
The said day, comperit in judgment Johne Clerk, induellar in the toune
of Hull, in Ingland, and exponit to the bailzeis, in presens of Androw Buk,
beand lauchtfuUie varnit to this day, how, in the raoneth of December, in
the yeir of God j"* v« fourty and sax yeris, or thairby, the said Androw,
beand captywe and presonar, incarcerat in the said toune of Hull as fyane
and enemy to Ingliss natioune, and put thar in cair and kepyng of the said
Johne, be his crafty subtility brek the presone and eschewit, and tharthrow
come in Scotland, fre of all ransome, without vitting or knawledge of the
said Johnne, keiper of the said presone, quhairthrow the said John hes in-
currit grit damnage and skaith of his gudis and fame, for thai of quhome
he had the said cair and keping imput the vyit of the said Androwis
escheving and away passing to the said Johnne, albeit he wes inocent ther-
of, as he allegit ; and thairfor desyrit the baillies forsaid to cause the said
Androw be swome the gryt ayth to testifie befoir thame the treuth and
veritie of the said mater. Quha being swome the gryt aith, the haly evan-
gelistis tuichit, and diligently being exeminit be the saidis baillies, deponit
and testifyit opinlie in jugement, vpoune his sauU and consciens, that the
said Johne Clerk knew nocht nor yit vnderstuyd of his away cuming, nor
neuer wes participant therof, nor in the counsell of the same, bot ves all
uterly ignorant and inocent therof; vpon the quhilk depositioune and testi-
ficatioune the said Johne desyirit ane testimoniall to be gewin him, under
the secreit seill, quhilk desyir the baillies thocht ressonable, and decernit
him the same, and ordinit the keiparis of thair said secreit seill to append
the same thairto.
284 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
l<HhMay. lOth Maj/y 1555.
I***- Eodem die comparuit religiosus vir frater Joannes AUardes subprior ac
procurator prions et conuentus fratrum Carmelitarum de Abirdene et
produxit judicialiter tres processus judicales legittime per eum coram
balliuis in tribus curiis capitalibus deductos de et super recuperatione pro-
prietatis eiusdera terre vaste jacentis infra oppidum Aberdonense in vico
viridi ex parte boreali eiusdem inter terras quondam Johannis Reid ex
occidental! ex vna et ex orientali partibus ab altera communem viam regiam
versus austrum in defectu solutionis vnius annui redditus decern solidorum
monete Scotie de dicta terra annuatim debiti et longo tempore preterito
non soluti quibus processibus palam et publice visis perlectis et intellectis
ac legittime prolatus prefatus frater Joannes procuratorio nomine dictorum
prioris et conuentis illis fieri petiit secundum vim formam et effectum dic-
torum processuum et aliarum euidentiarum judicialiter productarum exhibi-
tarum et presentatarum coram preposito et balliuis in curia capitali proxiraa
immediate diem et datam presentiam precedenti de dicta terra vasta cum
pertinentiis iuris et iusticie complementum ac proprietatis indicium vnde
hora diei legitime expectata et omnibus interesse habentibus vocatis et
nulla parte aduersa coraparente nee contradicente prefatus frater Joannes
porrexit plegium in manibus Thome Pattoune sergiandi quod ipse causam
suam obtinuit in recuperatione proprietatis dicte terre vaste cum pertinen-
tiis quare decretum fuit per discretum virum Gilbertum Collisoun vnum
balliuorum pro tribunale sedentem et datum pro judicio per os Jacobi Pent-
land judicatoris curie pro tempore quod prefatus frater Joannes procura-
torio nomine dictorum prioris et conuentus proprietatem et possessionem pre-
fate terre vaste cum pertinentiis legitime recuperauit ob et propter defectum
solutionis annui redditus x s. ante dicti quare prefatus frater Johannes no-
mine dictorum prioris et conuentus inducendus est in realem actualem et
corporalem possessionem predicte terre cum pertinentiis.
20th May, 1555.
The said day, the counsell for the maist pairt, beand convenit within the
counselhous, all in ane voce, nemmit, electit, and chesit Thomas Menzes,
prouest, and Dauid Mar, bailzie, thair commissioneris, conjunctly and
seueralie, to ryid to Edinburght to the next parliament, to be haldin thair
be our souerane lady Marie, queue drowrear of Scotland, and regent of the
same, and be the thre estatis therof, in name of our maist gracious queue
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 285
moderne, to begyne vpoune the xxviij day of May instant, and thair to 20th May,
consult, awyse, treat, decerne, and concluid vpoune sic thingis as concernis ^^^'
the publict welth of this realme, and liberties therof, as salbe thocht ganand
and convenient be the saidis thre estaitis ; and ordinis ane commissioune
vnder the townis seall to be maid to thame thairwpoune, with power alse
to the saidis commissioneris to compeir and convene in the said toune of
Edinburgh with the remanent commissioneris of the burrowis of this realme,
to awyse and consult vpon sic thingis as concernis the commound weill of
the estait of burgessis, and the libertie and priuileges of burrowis, and to
concluid therwpoune, and to desyir in the said parliament sic wrangis,
hurtis, and enormiteis, as is done to the saidis burrowis and inhabitantis
therof, to be reformit, and ther auld priuileges and liberties to be renewit,
restoirit, apprewit, and confermit; and specialy anent the hurtis done to
this burgh of Abirdene, to be reformit, and thair auld infeftmentis and
priuilegis, grantit and gewin to thame be our souerane ladyis maist noble
progenitouris, to be ratifiit and confermit, lyk as salbe contenit and speci-
fiit at raair lynth in the articles to be maid and send with the saidis com-
missioneris thairopon ; and gyf neid beis, to consent to gif ane honest and
decent propyne, gratitud, and contributioune to our said souerane lady and
regent forsaid, and ratificatioune and confirmatioune of thair auld infeft-
mentis and priuileges forsaid, lykas salbe contenit and specifiit in the gene-
rail articalis to be maid be the saidis haill commissioneris of burrowis, or
the maist pairt of thame, and presentit in the said parliament heirvpoune.
The said day, the counsell ordanis to be gewin Thomas Menzes, prowest,
the sowme of twenty poundis, and to Dauid Mar tene pound, to mak thair
expenssis in ryding to Edinburght, as commissioneris for the toune to this
nixt parliament ; and ordanis the same to be pait to thame with the first
accedence of the toune that beis gottin in of the compositionis of fremen
to be maid, escheittis or vnlawis quhatsumeuir that first fallis.
I4th June, 1555.
The said day, Jonatt Portar and Jonett Bailzert, hir seruand, war con-
vickit in judgement, be the depositiones of diuerse famose witnes, for the
defaming and myspersoning of James Andersone and Elspett Baldy, his
spowse, with veray ewill and injurious langaige, vndvordy of heiring.
Quhairfor thay, and ilkane of thame, war in amerciament of court, and the
2 0
286 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
i-ith June, bailzies forsadd ordanit the saidis Portar and Bailzeirt, hir seruand, to cum
1555. Qjjg Sonday nixt cumis, within Sanct Nicholace parroche kirk, in tyme of
the hie mess, with ane candill of valx in thair hand, and sit doune on thair
kneis in the queir, afoir the guid men of the toune, and aske the said James
and his spows forgyfties, and thair to revock the vordis said be thame
vpoune him and his said spowse fals and vntrewe, and requeist the guid
men of the toune to cause thame be forgewin ; and gyf euer the said Jonett
Bailzert beis foundin in the making of sic offencis in tyme coming, and beis
convict thairfor, to be banist of this guid toune.
30th June) 1555.
The said day, Gilbert Collisone, Patrik Menzes, and Gilbert Maly-
soune, baillies, with awyse of the haill counsell, ordanis fourty poundis to
be gewin to Thomas Menzeis, prouest, and Dauid Mar, bailzie, of the
rediast and first accidentis and casualiteis of the toune that euer first hap-
pynnis to be gottin, and na man to mell thairwith, nor gett part nor profyt
thairof, quhill the said fourty poundis be pait compleitly to thame, and that
to mak thair expenssis in passing to this present rayd till Sanct Johnstoune,
anent the townis bessenes and commound weill therof, and in recompensa-
tioune of thair expenssis of the last rayd thai maid, at command of the
counsell, to the last parliament haldin in Edinburght, for the quhilkis as yit
thai gat na recompensatioune nor reward, bot of thair awin guidnes hes
remittit the same for paiment of the sowme aboue wryttin.
Sth July, 1555.
The said day, anent the complaynt gewin in iugement to the baillies be
Gilbert Knowis, Duncan Forbes, Gilbert Kyntoir, Alexr. Hay, and
Maister Johnne Watsoune, for thame selffis and the remanent heretouris,
takkismen, tenentis, and occupiaris of the fysching of the cruwis, vpoun
Maister Johnne Chawmer, duelland in Grandoum, for the wrangouss vsing
and balding of ane cobill vpoun the said watter, within the boundis of thair
fysching, to thair gryt hurt and skayth, quhar neuer na cobill wes vsit nor
occupiit obefoir, and tharthrow making new innovatioune by the aid louable
vse and consuetude, obseruit in all tymes bygane past memor of man, in
hurt and preiudice of the priuilege of this guid toune, as in the said bill
of complaynt at mair lyntht is contenit. Quhilk wes remittit and referrit
to the sensment and ordinans of the counsell, quhilkis being conuenit for
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 287
the maist pairt within the consalhous, all in ane voce, fand and decernit 8th July,
that the said Maister Johnne aucht not to hauld nor vse the said cobill as ^®^*
he dois, and that thair aucht hot ane generawU and commend coble to be
vpoun the said fysching, to serff all the possessouris, tenentis, and occu-
pyaris thairof, in tym cumyng, to transport thame selffis, thair seruandis,
and thair fysche, als oft as thai haf ado, and that the said new cobill aucht
to be reraovit, destroy it, and away put, in all tymes to cum. And attour
it is provydit be the said consell, with consent and assent of the haill posses-
sours, takkismen, and tenentis of the said fysching, that gif the said gene-
rail commound cobill beis haldyn or stopput fra ony ane of thame, or thair
subtenentis, or seruandis, quhen thai haf ado in tyme to cum, that the
haldar or stoppar of the said cobill sail refound and pay to the complenar
saraekill as he or his serwand will mak faytht thai ar skaythtit at that tyme,
throcht wanting of the vse and service of the said cobill, and siclik to be
done in all tymes cumyng, without any vder probatioune to be socht hot
allanerly the depositioune of the complenar or his serwand.
I2th August i 1555.
The said day, Alexr. JoflPray, Duncane Fraser, Williame Congiltoun,
Dauid Saidlar, Johnne Fowlis, Charles Dauidsone, Reche Myln, Alexr.
Kemp elder, Alexr. Kemp youngar, Alexr. Kay, and Duncane Colly,
baxteris, and ilkane of thame were conuickit in judgement, and put in amer-
ciament of court, for the braking of the commound ordinance and statutis of
this guid toune in selling of quhyt breid of less mesour and price nor wes
gewin and dewisit be the counsell to thame of befoir to obserf and fulfill ;
quhairfor thai war in amerciament of court to forbeir in tyme cumyng and
amend as law vill, and that wes gewin for dome, and the baillies continewit
thair vnlawis to be modifiit be thame eftirwart.
The said day, the haill counsell statut and ordanit that the baxteris of
this guid toune sail baik and sell twenty tua vnce of quhyt breid, sufficient
stuf, and weill bakin, for four penneis, and tuenty aucht vnce of ry breid,
suflBcient stuf, and weill bakin, for four d. ; and that na breid be sauld be
thame quhill thai be considderit and vesit be ane of the baillies ; and qubow-
sone the breid beis takin out of the owne, that ane of the baillies salbe ad-
uertist and requirit to do the same ; and that na baxter sail baik ony breid
vpoune Settirday befoir tua eftir none ; and quha beis fundin cumand in
288 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
12th August, the contrar heirof, the haill baikin stuf beand fundin and gottin in his pos-
sessioune to be escheit and delt ; and gyf ony baxter hawand stuf beis
fundin wantand baikin breid, and nocht vsand his craft to serf the toune
and nightbouris therof in contemptioune of this ordinance, the sam beand
knawin and vnderstand, the haill victuall and stuf beand fundin in his pos-
sessioune to be escheit and delt to the puir folkis. And this statut to in-
duir and haf stryntht quhill the fest of Michaelmes nixt cumis, and further
induiring the counsellis will.
26tk August, 1555.
The said day, Alexr. Reid younger, being accusit be the baillies in
judgement for inobedience of Patrik Menzes, bailzie, in executioune of his
office, and siclyk for the braking of ward, he being put thairintill be the
said bailzie, for the quhilkis he put him in the tounis will, and the prouest
and maist pairt of the counsell ordanit him to cum on Sonday nixt cumis
within Sanct Nicholace kirk, in the queir therof, with ane candill of ane lib.
of wax in his hand, in the tyme of the hie mess, and thair sit doune on his
kneis and ask the said Patrik forgyfnes, and requeist the guid men of the
toune to cause and solist the said Patrik forgyf him ; and gyf euer he beis
convickit making sic faill and oflPence in tyme cumyng, to tyne his fredome
and be banyst of the toune.
3c? September, 1555.
The said day, Agnes Lowsoune and Johne Abircromy, hir spows, for his
interes, beand lauchtfullie warnit to this day for the third and last dyat of
proces be Johnne Jenour, officiar, vpoun the quhilkis he maid faith in judge-
ment, to haf ansuerit at the instance of ane rycht venerabill mane, Robert,
minister of the Trinite ordour of Faythfurd and Abirdene, anent the claim
of ane chalice of siluer, contening fourtene vnces of wecht, quhilk the said
Agnes, as is allegit, intromettit with, deliuerit to hir be freir Johne Quhyt-
cors, pertening to the Trinite kirk of Abirdene, with intimatioune gif thai
compeirit nocht, the baillies wald proceid and minister iustice in the said
mater ; and the saidis Agnes and Johnne, hir spous, for his interes, beand
oft tymes callit, compeirit nocht, quhairfor the baillie resauit and adraittit
the said Robertis probatioune ; be the quhilk it wes fundin that the said
Agnes intromettit with the said chalice, contening fourtene vnce of siluer,
and therfor the bailzie forsaid decernit and ordanit the said Asrnes and
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN 289
Johnne, hir spous, for his interes, to delyuer and restoir to the said minister 3d September,
and kirk forsaid the forsaid chalice of fourtene vnce of siluer alse guid as it ^^^"
wes quhen scho intromettit thairwith within terme of law ; and gyf the same
be destroyit or brokin, nocht gettabill in the sam forme as it ves, that the
said Agnes and Johnne, hir spows forsaid, for his interes, sail cans mak ane
wther chalice of new, of the samin vecht of siluer, alse guid as the vther
wes, and deliuer the same to the said minister and place forsaid. And at-
tour the bailzie decernit and ordanit the said Robert, minister aforsaid, of
his awin confessioune, to pay to the said Agnes the sowme of sax lib. Scottis
for the said freir Johnne Quhytcors quhilk he wes awand to hir ; and the
said Robert attour oblist him of his awin guidnes to delyuer to the said
Affnes fourtie s. mair nor the said sowme of sax lib. at the restitutioun of
the said chalice in maner aboune writtin, sua the same be deliuerit to him
with plesour and thankfulnes but ony forthir of cumyr or coist.
The said day, Robert Cunynghame, minister of the Trinite freiris of
Failfurd and Abirdene, maid and constitut Maister Robert Lumisden his
procuratour and factour, to vptak the mailis, fermes, annuelrentis, pro-
fyttis, emolumentis, and deuties, pertenyng to the saidis freiris of the or-
dour of the religioune in Abirdene, of all termes bygane and to cum, with
power to substitute procuratouris to persew the same in the law, gyf neid
beis ; with power also to the said Maister Robert to beit, mend, and re-
perell the Trinite kirk and place of Abirdene, and quhat he debursis thair-
vpoune to be thankfully allowit to him ; and alse to sustene the brether
of the said religioune in thair cleuthyng and ordinar expenssis, and vther
thingis neidfuU to thame, takand their acquyttances therof, quhilk salbe
alse sufficient as it war deliuerit to the said minister himself, conforme to
his directioune and ordinance gevin to the said Mr. Robert theranent,
quhilkis siclyke salbe allowit thankfully to the said Mr. Robert, pro-
mittand faythfullie to hald ferme and stabill quhat the said Mr. Robert
and his substitutis in the premissis lauchtfullie leidis to be done. And
this present procuratorie to induir and haf effect ay and quhill the said
minister renunce and discharge the same.
Ath October, 1555.
The said day, the counsell hawand consideratioune that Sir Robert
Bynne, cheplane and singar in thair queir, is vesiit be the hand of God
290 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
4U> October, with infimiitie in his ene, quhairthrow he is becum blynd, and that he maid
l**5. gude and continuell seruice in tymis bigan, sa lang as he wes habill.
Thairfor, thai all in ane voce consentis and assentis that he haf his auld
fee, that is to say, aucht markis wsuaill money of Scotland, togidder with
his clerkship, quhilkis he had for his fee and seruice abefor, for all the
dais of his lif, but ony impediment or gane calling. And forther, that the
nobill and honest men of the toune support him of thair awin guidnes, at
thair plesour and discretioune, quhill God restoir him to his sycht and
habilite.
Item, it is statut and ordanit, with consent of the haill craft of cordon-
aris, that na schone be sauld darrer bot the best dowbill scholit schone
for men xxxii penneis, mennis singill solit schone tua s. ; wemmenis
dowbill solit schone ii s., thair singill solit schone xviij d. and xvj d. ;
bamis schone for xii d., x d., and viij d., efferand to thair quantitie and
aige, wnder the paine of escheiting of all schone beand in the possessioune
of the braker of this present statut.
Item, that na man gaddir nor hald ony carnis or stanis to ly vpoun the
calsay, except thame that ar to big allanerly, wnder the pane of eschaeting
therof ; and gif ony biggar haldis ane came of stanis one the streit or
calsay attour ane yeir and ane day, the samin to be escheit inlykwyse.
Item, that euerie craft within this guid toune haf ane visitour amang
thame selfis, chosin euere yeir anis, quha sell accept the same, and be
suome therto befor the prouest and baillies in judgement, to se that all
statutis and ordinans maid one the craftismen of this guid toune be ob-
seruit and keipit ; and that, in tyme cuming, thair be na craftisman maid
fre man to vse his craft, except he haf seruit as prentise under ane maister
thre yeiris, and be found sufficient and qualifeit in his craft to be ane
maister.
Item, it is statut and ordanit, with consent of the haill baxteris, beand
convenit, that nane of thame pass in the contray to by quhit, of darrer
prices bot as tha ma keip and obserf the statut and ordinance gewin
thame be the counsale for this present yeir ; and alse that nane of the
saidis baxsteris by quhit attour his nychtbouris heyd : that is to say, quhair
OF THE BUBGH OF ABERDEEN. 291
his nychtbour hes bene to mak ony bying or bergane of quhyt, and bidden 4th October,
ony money thairfor, that his nychtbour bid na mair nor is offerit, nor mak ^^^''•
him to by thair, wnder the pane of fourty s. for the first fait, and tynsell
of fredome for yeir and day for the secund fait, gif he beis convickit for
the same.
Item, that na tailzeour sell ony clayth hot allanerly maid breikis and
boxis of tartane or grose claith and lynningis for cleything ; and gif ony
tailzeour dois in the contrar, to be punist therfor, as forstallaris and re-
grataris of this guid towne.
Item, that all burgessis remanyng in landwart, and all wtheris hawand
takkis, rowmes, steddingis, and protfeittis of this guid towne, cum betwixt
this and Mertimes nixt to cum, with thair wyffis, barnis, and howshaldis,
and duell, remayne, and abyde within this toune, scoit, loit, walk, and ward
with the samin, and be reddy all houris for the defens thairof, and con-
curring and assisting with the superiouris and ministers of justice tbarof
for the tym, wnder the pane of tinsell of thair fredomes, takkis, priuilegis,
and profyttis that thai haf or ma haf of this guid toune, of the quhilkis
thair names foUowis, viz. : Archebald Rayt, Androw Thomsone in Rattre,
Williame Duncan, Johnne Lausoune, Johnne CoUe, Thomas Buchane,
Johnne King, James Strauquhyn in Innerowry, and George Johnstoune,
and ordanit thir names forsaidis to be proclamit opinlie at the mercat croce
of Aberdene to the effect forsaid.
The said day, the counsell grantit to thair seruitour, James Nory,
singar in thair queir, twenty s., to be augmentit tuenty s. of his fee, mak-
and in the haill four poundis, for his guid seruice to be done in their queir ;
and ordanis the den of gild to mak him paiment therof, ay and quhill he
be dischargit therof.
The said day, Alexr. Rattre dischargit the towne of the sowme of twelff
poundis, allegit awand be thame to him of the rest of ane gritar sowme, for
his seruice and wagis in passing with the kingis grace to the ilis, at com-
mand of the counsell, and of sewin lib., allegit awand to him be the toune
for tua monethis wagis, in the tyme that he wes gunnar in thair blokhowse,
292 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
4th October, and of all sowmes of money that he may clame or creif at the toune in
^^^' tymmes bigane ; and the counsell remittit and dischargit the said Alexr.
of his guid sone John Ewynnis compositione of fremanschip, for the quhilk
he com souertie.
I4th October, 1555.
The said day, the prouest and baillies ordanis Gilbert Colisoun, maister
of Sanct Nicholace wark, to delyuer to Patrik Menzeis and Alexander
Chawmer, denis of gild, the grit jrne kirk styile to be applyit to the irne
wark necessar of the tolbuith ; and the saidis prouest and baillies oblist
tham in name of the toune that the denis of gild for the tyrae sell rander
and gyf agane samekill jrne wark to the said maister of kirk wark for the
tyme to the necessar beitment of the said kirk quhat tyme and quhow sone
it sell hapin thame to haf ado thairwith, be the sycht of the guid men of the
toune.
25th October, 1555.
The said day, the raaist pairt of the consell ordanis Thomas Menzeis,
thair prouest, to ryd to Edinburght for defence of the sommondis rasit be
Dauid Kintor, Gilbert Kintoir, and Patre Gray, aganis the prouest and
baillies of this guid toun, and certane vderis nychtbouris thairof, for the re-
ductione of thair fewis, and the productione of the townis aid infeftmentis ;
and ordanis the den of gild to deliuer him xx lib. to help to mak his ex-
penssis.
6th November, 1555.
The said day, Johnne Chalmer wes accusit in judgement for the myssay-
ing and myspersoning of Dauid Mar, ane of the baillies of the said burgh,
with maist wyile and injurious detractioune, say and that he had takin ane
hundreth lib. of money furth of his bag, quhilk wes ane commound theyffis
stik, and that he had gewin ane false testimoniall one him to the quenis
grace, wnder the townis seill ; quhik actioun wes put to the knawlege of the
assise aboune writtin, and be the depositiones of diuerse famose witnes, and
be the said Johnnis awin confessioune, he wes convickit be the said assise
for the myspersoning of the said Dauid in maner aboun writtin, quhairfor
he wes put in amerciament of court, and that wes gewin for dome.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 293
13th December, 1555. I3th Dec
The said day, the baillies ordanit Maister Thomas Annand, chaiplane ^^^^•
of Sanctiohnne the Ewangellist alter, situate within thair parroche kirk of
Abirdene, to the quhilk the toune ar patronis, of his awin grant and con-
sent in judgment, to bring and exhibit befor the counsell, in thair nixt heid
court, to be haldin the xiij of Januar, ane litill chalice and ane raekill new
chalice of siluer, pertening to the said chaplanrie, to be vesiit be the con-
sell, and to remayne for seruing of the said alter within the said kirk in
firmance and keipyng, becaus he hes absentit the same thir diuerse yeiris
bygane.
\6tk December, 1555.
The said day, the haill towne beand conuenit for the maist part, chesit
and electit Thomas Menzeis, prouest, Maister Robert Lumisden, and
Gilbert CoUisoune, or ony tua of thame coniunctly, thair commissionaris,
lauchtfuU and irrevocabill, to compeir and conuene with the remanent com-
missionaris of the fre burghis of Scotland in Edinburgh, vpoun the xv day
of Januar nixt to cum, conforme to ane writting of our souerane lady,
Marie, queue drowrear of Scotland, and regent of the same, directit and
send to the prouest, baillies, and communite of the said burgh, or quhat-
sumeuer vder day or dayis, place or places conuenient, quhen and quhair
the quenis grace and commissionaris forsaid thinkis expedient, for dressing
of appountraent, stancheyiig of all debait and contrauersie betuix the fre
raarchandis and craftismen of all burrowis of this realrae, for vnite and
concord to be amangis thame perpetualie in tyme cumyng. And alsua to
consult, awyse, dispute, and ressoune vpoune all sic thingis as concernis
the fredome, liberte, preuelege, and publict weltht, of all borrowis of the
realme, and for to do, traitt, determe, and conclud thairupoune, for the
commond weill of the samin. And forthir, to compleyne and expoyne
the hurtis, dampnage, and skaith done in tymes bygane by the burrowis
forsaid, and specialy to this burght of Abirden, aganis the strynth of thair
aid priuelegis and infeftmentis, and for to laubour remeid thairin, sa far
as ma be had ; and for to grant to gif ane compositioune, propyne, and
gratitud to our said souerane lady, as vtheris commissionaris of burrowis
dois and grantis, for reformatioune, in tyme cumyng, of the hurtis, damp-
nagis, and skaithis don to the burrowis in tymes bygane, restitutione of
2 p
294 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
16th Dec., thame to their aid immwniteis and liberteis, and apprewing, and ratefying,
^**'- and confermyng of thair aid priuilegis and infeftmentis ; and generaly to
do all thingls concernyng the premissis that the haill coram unite forsaid
mycht do, gif thai war all present in propir personis : promittand faith-
fullie to hald firme and stabill all and quhatsumeuer thingis thair saidis
thre eommissioneris, or ony tua of thame coniunctly, lauchfuUy ledis to be
done in the premisses ; and ordanis ane commission to be maid to thame
vnder the townis commond seill thairupoun.
2d January i 1556.
The said day, the haill toun, being convenit within the tolbuitht, thocht
neidfuU and expedient to big ane brig vpoun the Den burne, at the south-
wast entre of the toune, as thai cum thairto fra the brig of Dee ; and or-
danis Maister Robert Lumisden, maister of vark of the brig of Dee, to
big the said brig of tua bowis, sufficiently with stane and lyme, with the
reddiest of the money that he hes of the mailis of Ardlar, and to by stanis,
lyme, and all raateriallis neidfull therto ; and quhat he debursis on the
biging of the said brig to be thankfully allowit to him in his nixt compt ;
vpoun the quhilkis the said Maister Robert desyrit act of court, in pre-
sens of the haill toun forsaid.
2.1 th January, 1556.
The said day, the counsell dewysit and ordanit that Alexr. Ruderfurd,
Gilbert CoUisoune, Patrik Menzes, Walter CuUane, Gilbert Malisoune,
and Androw Lowsoune suld pass to Edinburght to the prouest Thomas
Menzeis, as commissionaris for the haill toune, to defend the actioun and
pley mowit aganis this toun and communite thairof, be Maister Henry
Lauder and Maister Johnne Spens, aduocattis to our souerane lady the
quenis grace, for productioun befoir the lordis of counsell of the townis
infeftment and chartour of thair fischingis of the watteris of Dee and
Doyne, efter the forme and tenour of our souerane ladyis letteris of sum-
mondis directit aganis thame thairupoune, and thair to consult with men
of law, experience, and knawledge, the best way for defence of the said
actioune, and to constitut procuratouris, ane or ma, to that effect, and to
mak expensis thairupoune honestly as accordis ; and the forsaidis expensis
to be vptakin of the possessouris of the tounis fyschingis and landis, ef-
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 295
fering to the valour therof, and, gyf neid beis, to exhibit and produce the 27th January,
said chartour and infeftment. The quhilk ordinance of the covnsell, the ^^^^■
haill toune, being warnit to this day, and convenit for the maist pairt, af-
fermit, apprevit, and consentit therto ; and siclyke the saidis commission-
eris grantit to pass to address the said bissenes frelie and glaidly, vpon
thair awin expenssis, for the weill of the toune, conforme to the townis
ordinance and power gevin to thame ; and the haill toune ordanis ane
commissioun to be given to thame, vnder thair commond seill, to the effect
forsaid.
The said day, Patrik Leslie, in name and behalf of the nychtbouris and
puir inhabitantis of this toun, quhilk hes na takkis nor heretagiis of the
tounis landis, requyrit the baillies in jugement, in presens of the haill
toune, for the copy of the townis commission grantit to the commissionaris
to sett the saidis landis in few, allegeand that the saidis puir inhabitantis
ar hewilie oppressit and hurt be the possessouris of the saidis landis,
quhilkis stoppis and raakis impediment to thame to cast, win, and leid
fewall, faill, and dewatt, vpoun the commounty of the towne, quhar thai
had wont to cast in tymmes bigane, past memour of man, contrar the
tennour and stryncht of the said comraissioune, and thair few chartouris
grantit and gevin thairvpoun, and express aganis the commoun weill of
this guid toune, and theirfore protestit solemplie for obseruatioune and
executioune of the claussis and restrictionis contenit in the saidis few char-
teris, and for remeyd of law, quhen tym and place requyris.
\9ih March, 1556.
The said day, Dauid Mar, bailye, with consent, awyise, ordinance, and
authorite of Thomas Menzeis of Petfoddellis, prouest of the said burght,
and Gilbert Menzeis his bruder, narrest kynnismen and frendis to Androw
Menzeis youngar, pupill, sone, and air to vmquhile Androw Menzeis,
burges of Aberdene, his fader, and als air to vmquhile Thomas Menzeis
youngar, his bruther, ordanit and decernit Thomas Menzeis, tutour of law
to the said Androw, to content and pay to Besse Leslie, moder to the said
Androw, for his burd, and ordinar expenssis, and cleithing, tene lib. yeirlie,
sa lang as he is with his said moder, fra the entre of the said Dauid to the
office of tutourie forsaid, and the samin to be allowit to him in his compt.
296 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
27th March, 21th March, 1556.
1556. The said day, the court wardis and schawls for law, and it wes gewin for
dome, that Andro Forbes, duelland at Keythokis mill, hes prowin suffi-
ciently that in the moneth of August or thairby, in the yeir of God j"" v*^
fyftie and four yeris, Duncane CoUe, baxter, at his awin hand, without any
licens of the said Androw, intromettit with ane blak horse pertening to the
said Androw, worth tene merkis, at the myll forsaid, and put ane heivy
laid of flour one him to be cariit fra the said myll, and in the careing thairof
brak his bak wnder TuUidronis hill, throcht weycht and hewynes of the
laid, and ewill gyding of the horse, in the said Duncanis defalt, quharfor
the baillies decernit the said Duncane to content, refund, and pay to the
said Androw the forsaid sowme of tene merkis, ffor the walour and pryce of
the said horse, for the caussis forsaid, within the terme of law, and condamp-
nis the said Duncane in the expenssis of court to be taxit eftirwart.
2eth April, 1556.
The said day, the court wardis and schavis for law, and it wes gewin for
dome, that Maister Edward Menzeis, cheplane of the ruid alter in the organ
loft, situat within the parroche kirk of Abirdene, hes provin sufficientlie
that he and Schir Johnne Fyff, his predecessour as cheplanis of the said
cheplanrie, war in vse, and possessioun of paiment, and vptaking of ane
yeirlie annuel rent of xl d. wsuall money of Scotlande off ane land Hand in
the Grene, on the south part therof, merchand with the land of the quyt
fi'eiris on the eist part, and the land of [ ] one the west pairt, per-
tening sum tyme to Margaret Low, and now pertening to Johnne Barre,
quharfor the prouest and baillies forsaid decernit and ordanit the said Johnne
Barre, as heretour theroff, to refound, content and pay to the said Edward,
as cheplane forsaid, the said annuel rent of xl d. money forsaid, of the termes
immediatlie bigane, within viij dayes, and siclyke yeirlie and termelie in all
tyme cuming, ay and quhile he be lauchtfullie callit and ordourlie put thair-
fra be the law ; wpoun the quhilk the said Maister Edward tuik act of court
and instrument.
5th May, 1556.
I, James Kennedy, broder germane to Gilbert Erie of Cassillis, and
collectour of the taxt of fywe thousand poundis grantit at Edinburgh, the
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 297
xiij day of November, be the lordis of the secreit counsell, for furnessing of 5th May,
certane horsemen vpoun the west bordouris, grantis me to haf resauit fra ^^^*
Alexr. M'CuUocht, pursewand, for the haill taxt of the towne of Abirdene,
the sowme of thre scoir auchten lib. fyftene s., in haile and compleit pay-
ment of thair part of the sowme of the forsaid taxt ; off the quhilk sowme I
hald me weill content, and pait quyt clames, and dischargis the said Alexr.,
in name of the prouest and baillies of the said toune forsaid. In witnes
herof, I, the said James, lies subscriuit this present acquittance with my
hand, at Ed'-, the third day of Februar, anno 1556 yeris. Sic subscribitur,
James Kennedy.
The said day, compeyrit in jugement Gilbert Kyntour, admiral deput to
ane nobill lord, James Erie Bothtwall, gryt admirall of Scotland, and ex-
hibit ane commissioun gewin and direckit to him be the said principale
admirall, vnder his seall and subscriptioune manuall, of the dayt at Creych-
toune, the xx day of Februar, yeir of God j" v" fyfty and vj yeris, to
cognoss and deceme in all thingis concerning his office and jurisdictioun of
admiralitie in the north partis of Scotland, fra the north watter of Esk to
Ross inclusive, contening power to the prowest and baillies of Abirdein to
resaif the aitht of the said Gilbert Kyntoir for trew exercitioun of the said
office, quhilk aith the baillies forsaid resauit in iugement, conforme to the
said commissioune.
9th Mat/, 1556.
1, Sir Johnne Maitland of Lythyngton, knycht, collector deput to the
ressait of the taxt of the burrowis of this realme, grantit in the yeir of God
jm yc fyfjy j^ud four ycirls, be the the tennour heirof, grantis to haf resauid
fra Barbara Wdward, spowse of Maister Alexr. Grahame, burgis of Edin-
burght, in name and behalf of the prouest and baillies of Abirdein, the
sowme of thre scoir xviij lib. xv s. wsuall money of this realme as for the
first quarter paiment of thair part of the forsaid taxt ; oflf the quhilk sowme
of iij" xviij lib. xv s. money forsaid I hald me weill content and pait, and
quyt clames and discharges the saidis prouest and baillies, and all wtheris
quhome it effeiris thairof, for now and euer be thir presentis. Subscriuit
with our hand at Edinburght, the xxij day of Aprile, the yeir of God m° v*'
fyfty and fywe yeiris, befoir thir witnessis. Sir Wm. Makdowell, Wm. Pur-
298 EXTRACTS FKOM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
9tli May, vess, and James Causour. Sic subscribitur, Rechert Maitland off Leth-
1656. yngtoune.
I, Rechert Maitland of Lythngtoune, knycht, grantis me to hafe resauit
fra Dauid Mar, bailzie of Abirdene, the sowme of fyftie poundis guid and
wsuall money of Scotland, in part of payment of the taxt of the said toun ;
off the quhilk sowme forsaid I grant me weill content, satisfiit, and pait,
and quyt clames, and dischargis the said bailzie and tonne, and all wtheris
quhome it efferis therof, ffor now and euer, be this ray acquyttance. Sub-
scriuit with my hand at Edinburght, the fyft day of Februar, the yeir of
God m® v'' fyfty and fywe yeris. Sic subscribitur, Rechert Maitland of
Lethyntoune.
I, Rechert Maytland of Lethtingtoune, knycht, collectour to the taxa-
tioune grantit be the thre estaitis for bigging of certane fortis vpoune the
bordour, grantis me to haf resauit fra Walter Cant in Leyth, in name and
behalfe of Gilbert CoUisoune, ane of the baillies of the burgh of Abirdene,
the sowme of twenty poundis wsuall money of Scotland in part of payment
of thair part of the said taxt grantit be the said burgh of Abirdene to our
souerane lady, to the effect forsaid, and be the tenour heirof quyt clames
and dischargis the said Gilbert and the remanent baillies off the said toune
for euer. Subscriuit with my hand at Edinburgh, the vj day of Februar,
anno 1655°. Sic subscribitur, Rechert Maitland of Lythingtoun.
29^A May, 1556.
The said day, the counsell dewisit and ordanit ane propyne to be gewin
to the quenis grace, regent of the realme, vyn, spyc, and wax, extending in
walour to the soum of twa hundreth merkis ; and ordanis that the haill
toune be warnit agane the moro, viz. the penult day of May instant, to the
effect that ane taxatioun may be sett upon the haill nychtbouris of this toune,
burgessis, and craftismen, for furnesing of the said soume, and that taxtars
may be chosin for stenting and setting of the same, conforme to the faculte
and substance of ilk persone.
30M May, 1556.
The said day, the haill toun beyng convenit, &c., approwit and affermit
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 299
the act and ordinance maid be the counsell for gewyng of ane propyne to 30th May,
the quenis grace, at her cumyng to this nixt justice air of Aberdeine, ex- ^^^•
tending in walour to the sowme of twa hundreth merkis, and consentit that
thair be ane taxatioun optakin, to furniss the sum, of the haill nychtbouris
of the toune, and chesit Thomas Menzeis, prouest, Dauid Mar, Gilbert
Collisoun, Alexr. Gray, and Maister George Myddiltoun, baillies of the
said burghe, taxtaris, to sett and stent the said taxatioune vpoune all the
nychtbouris and inhabitantis of this burgh, efferand to thair faculte and
substance ; quhilkis acceppit the same, and war suorne therto in judge-
ment.
8th JunCi 1556.
I, Rechert Maitland of Lethyngtoun, grantis me to haf resauit be the
handis of Walter Cant, induellar of Leytht, the sowme of thre scoir sex
pundis fywe schillingis, and that in name and behalf of the provest, baillies,
counsell, and communitie of the toune of Aberdene, in haill and compleit
payment off the sowm of thre hundreth fyfteyne poundis, for thair haill
taxt that the said toune wes sett to, in the yeir of God m° v" liij yeris, for
the bigging of certane forthis vpoun our souerane ladyis bordouris, off the
quhilk sowm of thre scoir sex lib. xv s. forsaid, in haill and compleit pay-
ment, as said is, I bald me weyll content and pait of the rasset therof, and
dischargis the said prouest, baillies, and communitie of the said toune of
Abirdene off thair haill taxatioune befoir writtin, extendand to the sowm
of thre hundreith fyfteine poundis, for now and euer, be this my acquit-
tance, subscriuit with my hand at Edinburgh, the last day of May, the yeir
of God m** v*' fyfty and sax yeris. Sic subscribitur,
Rechert Maitland of Lethyngtoune.
17 th July, 1556.
The said day, the counsell, beand convenit within the consel hovs, de-
cernit and ordanit that Alexander Rutherfurd aucht and suld be obeyit
and ansurit in tyme cumyng, induring the yeiris of his assedatioune off
Sanct Nicholace mett, baith of strengearis and nychtbouris of this toune,
lyk as he hes bene in tyme bygane, vse and vont obefor, conform to the aid
statut maid thairwpoun.
I8th July, 1556.
The said day, the baillies ordanit William Cargyll, in jugement, to pay
300 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
18th July, Alexr. Ruderfurd the dwety of Sanct Nicholas mett, of the quhy t that com
^*^ hame laytly furth of Danskyn, in ane schip callyt Ly be the Fyir, within
xxiiij houris, becaus he confessit that he com souerty for the merchandis
thairof to do to the said Alexr., anent the said dwety, all that law wald.
7th Augusti 1556.
The said day, the counsell, being convenit, chesit Gilbert CoUisoun col-
lector and disponar of the taxatioun of twa hundreth merkis, stentit amang
the nychtbouris of this guid townn, and ordains to be gewin ane propyne to
the quenis grace, regint and gubernatrice of the realme, at this nixt justice
air, twa tonnis of wyne, with spycerie and wax, extending to the sowme of
tuenty poundis ; to Monsor Doysy half ane twn of wyne, ane dossain of
torchis, and twa dossund bustis of scorchettis ; to the compositouris ane
twne of wyne ; to the justice clerk ane punsione of wyne.
10th September y 1556.
The said day, the prowest, baillies, and haill counsell of this guid toune
of Aberdene, being convenit in the chepdour of the gray freiris of the said
burght, awysand for the wielfair of the same and liberteis therof, and in
speciale tovard the frequenting of strangearis, nocht beand fremen of the
said burgh, cumand with thair pakkis of Fransche and Flandris wayris to
cut and sell in any day, all in ane voce, hes ordanit and ordanis the
prouest and bailies to mak presentlie proclamation at the mercat croce,
to inhibit all strangearis nocht being fremen of the said burght, that nane
of thame tak on hand to cut, sell, or lay furtht any merchandrices of
Fransche, Flandris, or Ingland wayris, bot to sell the same in grit to
fremen and breither off gild, vnder the pane of fywe lib. the first fait, ten
lib. the secund fait, and escheiting of his geir for the third fait, quha beis
fundin doand in the contrar, and that the denis of gild to put thir presentis
to dew executioun. And as for Scottis wairis, sic as claith, lynning, and
woone, and vder smale cremary, to be said and vsit be the hawaris therof
on the twa mercat dayis, Veddinsday and Settirday only, conforme to the
aid louable statutis of this burgh, maid of befoir and obseruit in all tymes
bygane.
\9th October, 1556.
The said day, the haill toun being convenit for the maist part, repre-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 301
sentand the haill body of the toune, grantit and consentit to gyf the quenis I9th October,
grace and lordis componitouris, at this present iustice air, the sowme of ^^^•
thre hundreth and tuenty markis, for thair componitour to the haill nycht-
bouris and inhabitantis of this toune, for small oppressiounis and lycht
offencis allanerlie, becaus thai vnderstand thai ar nocht gilty of slauchteris,
oppressionis, nor grit crymes, and that thai suld nocht incur the quenis
grace vnkyndnes ; and ordanis the sarain to be stentit and tane vp off the
inhabitantis within this burght and fredome therof, and to that effect chesit
Androw Lowsoune, Maister Patrik Rutherfurd, Alexr. Menzeis, Thomas
Nicholsoun, Alexr. Andersoun, Williame Forbes, and Mr. James Bur-
nett, taxtaris, to stent and tax the saidis nychtbouris and inhabitantis, ilkane
efferand to thair faculte, pussance, profiit, and substance, quhilkis var
sworne therto to do efter thair vnderstanding and knowlege.
16th November, 1556.
The said day, Johnne Blak, cheplane in the queir of the paroche kirk of
Abirdeine, and maister of the sang scuyll thairof, exponit to the baillies
and ane part of the counsell present for the tym, in jugement, quhow that
the haill brethir of the queir and college forsaid, being chepdourlie con-
uenit, afferrait obefoir, in presens of the prouest, baillies, and haill consell,
that thair is certane rowmes and places vacand amangis thame for qualifeit
personis, to be resauit and admittit therto be the awyse of the saidis pro-
west, baillies, and consell. And the said Schir Johne, in name of the haill
brether forsaid, presentit in jugement to the baillies, in name of the towne,
Maister Androw Gray, as ane cunning and qualefeit perseune, to be ad-
mittit be thame to ane place amangis the said brethir of the college forsaid,
quhome the saidis baillies and consell present for the tyme admittit therto,
he keipand dayly and continuall seruice in the said queir, conforme to the
first erectioune and institutioune tharof.
23c? November, 1556.
The said day, the baillies, with consent of the consell present for the
tyme, statut and ordanit, that gif ony persoun or party defendar resauis ony
articalis of his party aduersar, to mak interrogatouris thairwpoune, and
deliueris nocht the same agane to the covrt clerk within xxiiij houris thair-
eftir, that the baillies sell exera the witnes producit be the party persewar
2 Q
302 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
23d November, vpouii the dovble of the articalis, without ony interrogatouris of the party
1556. defendar.
2d January, 1557.
The said day, the haill taxismen quhilkis hes fischingis and land takkis
in few of this guid towne, being lauchtfuUie warnit to this day be the
officiaris, personale apprehendit, and at thair duelling places, respectiue,
and being convenit within the counselhous of the tolbuith for the maist
pairt, it wes exponit to thame be Thomas Menzeis, prowest, quhow thair
is ane actioun and pley dependand befor the lordis of counsell betuixt cer-
tane nychtbouris of this toune, anent certane fyschingis sett be the toun
to vtheris personis thane the aid possessoris therof, and that the prouest
and baillies ar summoned for thair interes in the said mater, and to produce
the townis aid infeftmentis that thai haf of the saidis fyschingis, as the
sommondis raisit therupoune at mair lyncht proportis. Quhilk pley hes
bene sumteous and werray coistlie ellis to the toune and to the particular
partiis, and the pley as yit takin litill effect, quharthrow standis vnkyndnes
and inimitie betuix the saidis nychtbouris and thair assistaris, and grit ap-
peirance cummeris and dampnageis to succeyd and follow thairupoun, aganis
the commoun weill of this guid toune and inhabitantis therof ; and thairfor
inquyrit thaim gif thai wald, for extinction of the said pley, ewading of ap-
perance, damnagis, cummeris, and expenssis, and for vnioun, concord, and
tranquilite to be amangis the saidis nychtbouris and thair assistaris in tyme
cuming, obtempir and fulfill the ordinans of the counsell deuysit for the
appoynting and finissing of the premisses : that is to say, that euery aid
possessour of fyschingis or land, quhome fra the same is sett in few ferme
to wtheris, sell haf thair awin agane haldin heretably of the toune, and the
new heretabill possessouris therof to renunce the same in the townis handis,
to the eflPect forsaid ; and the saidis new heretabill possessouris to haf and
resawe thair awin money, debursit be thame respectiue obefoir, for thair
compositioune and interes siluer, fra the aid possessouris forsaid, ac-
cepand the same of new heretably in few ferme. And ane compositioun
and contributioun to be collectit and wpliftit of the haill wateris and land
takkis pertening to the toune, to be disponit and gevin to the resignaris
and ourgewaris forsaidis, in recompensatioun of thair skaithis and ex-
penssis eflPering to the rait of the same be the discretioun of the counsell.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 303
Quhilkis takkismen and possessouris quhais names eftir followis, that is to 2d January,
say, Thomas Menzeis, Alex. Ruderfuird, Gilbert CoUisoun, Dauid Mar, ^^^'•
Gilbert Menzeis zoungar, Thomas Chawmer, Gilbert Menzeis elder,
Maister Patrik Rutherfurd, Alexr. Knowis, Patrik Menzeis, Walter Cul-
lane, Gilbert Malisoune, Androw Lowsoune, Dauid Menzeis, Maister
Thomas Menzeis, George Bisset, Thomas Nicholsoun, Alexr. Menzeis,
Johnn Lowsoune, Gilbert Knowis, Johnne Knowis, Alexr. Collisoune,
Maister Robert Andersoun, Gilbert Kintor zounger, Patrik Leslie, Gil-
bert Mar, Alexr. Hay, Alexr. Lowsoune, Alexr. Howesoune, and Androw
Lowsoune younger, as the maist pairt of the saidis takkismen and posses-
souris, grantit and consentit to the said ordinance and payment of the said
compositioun and contributioun, sua that the same exceyd nocht the sowm
of sex scoir poundis, and the forsaid sowme to be stentit and disponit be
the maist pairt of the counsell.
I4th Feburart/y 1557.
I do you to wit that this burgh of Abirdene and inhabitantis therof ar
lauchtfuUie infeft to vmquhile King Robert Bruce, of guid mynd, quhome
God assoilzie, and aflPermit and ratifiit be wmquhile King James the Third,
of ane commond fair and fre market, to begyne vpoune the xv day of
October, and to induir and continew for xv dais imraediatlie thaireftir,
quhairfore the prowest, baillies, and counsell hes ordanit to denunce and
proclame the said fair ane fre market to be haldyne yeirlie and perpetuallie
frathinfurth, to begine vpoune the said xv day of October, and to continew
induring xv dais thairefter, conforme to the infeftment forsaid ; quhilkis be
thir presentis we deuulgat to be knawin to all and sindrie quhome it efferis.
2lst May, 1557.
The said day, the secreit counsell vnder writtin dewysit and ordanit Gil-
bert Menzeis youngar, to ryde to Edinburgh and meyne to the quenis grace
and lordis of secreit counsell the grit exhorbitant chargis, taxatiounes,
dampnages, and skaithis, be se and wtherwaise, sustenit be this puir toune
of Abirdene and inhabitantis tharof within thir quhcyne last immediat yeiris,
and of the indigence and powerte thairthrow of the puir commonis therof,
and to lawbour and solist to gett reraytt and discharge of ane pairt of this
grytt last taxatioune, of the sowme of nyne hundreth fourty fywe lib., gif
ony pairt therof, be laubouris and solistatioun, may be gottin remittit be the
304 EXTKACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
3i8t May. occationis forsaid ; and ordanis the said Gilbert to haf for his expenssis the
1657. sowme of twenty lib., and the sarain to be debursit and awancit to him be
the said secreit counsell in maner following : that is to say, Thomas Men-
zeis, prouest, fourty s. ; Gilbert Collisoun, four lib. ; Dauid Mar, fourty
s. ; Gilbert Malysoune, fourty m[ ]; George Myddiltoun, xl s. ; Alexr.
Ruderfurd, xl s. ; Walter CuUane, xl s. ; Androw Lowsoune, xl s. ; Alexr.
Chawmer, for his fader and himself, xl s. ; quhilk sowmes salbe allocat
to thame in the first end, and payment of the said greit taxatioun, with
thankfulnes and greit fauour because thai debursit the same for the weill of
the toune.
16th July, 1557.
The said day, anent the supplicatioune and petitioune gevin be Johnne
Ictill and Nicolas Watsoune, Inglismen, for thameselfis and the remanent
thair coUegis and peirtinaris in jugement, aganis Gilbert Menzeis and cer-
tane vtheris his coleggis, for the wrangous staying, retening, and balding
of thame selflBs and thair two Inglis schippis, oflP the toune of Whytby, in
the quhilkis thai arryvit chargit with fischis to the raid of Abirdene, without
ony just querrell or cans, as thai allegit, lyk as in thair said peticioune and
bill of complaynt exhibit thairupoune at mair lyntht is contenit ; the saidis
Gilbert Menzeis being personalie present, warnit at the instance of the saidis
complenaris, and being inquyrit oppinlie in jugement gif he tuik, stayit, and
retenit the said Inglismen and thair schippis forsaid, and desyrit his ansuer
thairupoune, and the said Gilbert allegit that the saidis prouest and baillies
ar nocht iugis compitent to him in this cans, be ressoune it concernis onlie
the jurisdictioun of the admiralitie ; and attour, becaus the said Gilbert, as
he allegit, tuik and apprehendit the saidis Inglismen within his awin propir
landis of Torre, quherof the saidis prouest and baillies hes na jurisdictioune
nor power bot him self only, and therfor ar nocht judgis competent to him
in this cans ; and protestit tharfor quhat the saidis prouest and baillies de-
cernit or decreittit heirintill be nocht prejudiciall nor hurtfull to him ; and
vnder the protestatioune forsaid, grantit and confessit the staying, arresting,
and taking of the saidis schippis and Inglismen as just prysses and preson-
eiris for thir caussis following : In the first, becaus thair is weir presentlie
standing betuix this realme and the realme of Ingland, concludit be the
quenis grace and the lordis of Scotland, and recentlie deuulgat ; secondlie,
gewand and nocht grantand that the weris betuix the realmes of Scotland
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN 305
and Ingland as yit is nocht deuulgat nor proclamyt of new, nochttheles the i6th July,
veir betuix the two realmes standis realie and in effect, becaus this realrae i^^^-
of Scotland hes contrackit na peace with Ingland sen the proclamatioun of
the last weiris, hot ar comprehendit wnder the contract of peace maid be-
tuix France and Ingland as frendis and assistaris to the king of France,
quhilk band and contract is dissoluit and weir proclamit betuix France and
Ingland, and sua our pax, becaus it followit thairupoune, is dissoluit and
expirat, and we in the same place we war obefor the contracking of the
said peace ; and to the verificatioun heirof, euer sen the last proclamatioun
of weir betuix France and Ingland thair is sindrie Scottismen and thair
schippis, sic as Androw Buik in Aberdene, Duncan Levingstoune and
Williarae Car in Edinburgh, Williame Trayne in Irvyne, and vtheris,
stayit, haldin, spowlzeit, and pillest in Ingland be Inglismen, hawand na
vther respect nor caus hot onlie the dissolution of the said contract ; thirdly,
the said Gilbert allegis and offeris him to preif that the sarain personis of
thir Inglis schippis, or at the leist the principallis of thame, tuik his broder,
Maister Thomas Menzeis, furth of ane Flemyng schlp of Flesing, being in
the raid of Harrowage, in the moneth of Merche, in the yeir of God m" v*^
li yeiris, in tyme of peace standing betuix ws and Ingland, he hawand ane
sufficient sauf conduct, and tuik and spoilzett the haill guidis of the said
schip pertening to him, extending to the valour of nyne hundreith lib.
Scottis, and held him selfe in presoune, in the countour callit the Powtrey,
in Londone, be the space of xij owlkis, to his vttir heirschij), without ony
recompens of redress of geir or expenssis. And for thir caussis afoir reher-
sit, and diuerse vtheris ressonable, to be allegit and schawin be him quhen
tyme requiris, affermit and grantit the staying, taking, and arresting of the
saidis Inglismen, as fyanis and innemeis, and thair schippis forsaid ; vpoiin
the quhilkis granting and confessioun, maid oppinlie in jugement be the
said Gilbert, the saidis prouest and baillies tuik act of court and instrument ;
and thai, togidder with the haill nychtbouris and merchandis of this towne
that war present, protestit that thai incur na dampnage, dangcir, nor skaith
throw the occasioun forsaid ; and gif ony dampnage cumis thairthrow in ony
tyme, to cum vpoun the inhabitantis of this burgh, that the said Gilbert !»'
adettit and obleist to vpsett the same, becaus the saidis schippis ar violentlie
haldin and stayit be the said Gilbert and his colleggis without ony commis-
sioune of the authorite of Scotland, or of ony juge compitent, and na weir
as yit proclamit nor denuncit, as the saidis prouest and baillies allegit, and
306 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
16th July, insafar as thai had power and jurisdictioun, gaif fre licence ta the saidis
^*^' Inglismen to pass and repass with thair schippis and guidis at thair awin
plesour.
5th November^ 1557.
The said day, the consell dischargit Maister James Chawmer of his
stall and place quhilkis he hes amang the breither and college of the qiieir
of thair parroche kirk of Abirden, because he wes presentit thairto to
teyche the barnis of thair grammar scuill as mayster thairof, and hes vo-
luntarily left the said cuir, and past in seruice in the new college of Aid
Abirden, to be ane regent thairin, and sua hes tint and left the said
place, and aucht to haf na rowme, place, nor profit therof in tym curaing,
to the quhilkis the haill breithir of the said college consentit and grantit,
for the caussis forsaid, being chepdourlie conuenit vpoun the vij [?] day
of Nouember instant.
The said day, the counsell being present for the tym ordanis the soum
of four hundreyth merkis, quhilk "Walter Cant is obleist and ackit for to
the toune, to be applyit and disponit vpon gunnis, pulder, buUatis, and vder
munitionis, for defence of this guid toune and reparatioune of thair blok-
hows, to resist (gif occasioune occur) the inuasioune of our aid innemeis
of Ingland in this trubulowse tym of weir ; and the haill counsell war
suorne the gryt ayth, be thar handis wphaldin, the holie evangell tuechit,
neuer to consent to apply the forsaid soume of momey to na vther vse bot
to the effect afoir wrytyn.
23c? November^ 1557.
The said day, the haill counsell, with ane gryt part of the communitie,
being present for the tyme, nemmit and chesit Thomas Mengzes, prowest,
and Dauid Mar, bailze, commissionaris to ryd to Edinburght, to the par-
liament to begyne vpoune the xxix day of Nouember instant ; and ordanis
thame to haue commissioune of the toune, to conclud, treit, and appoynt
vpoun the mariage of our young quenis grace, and as the maist part of the
thre estaitis concludis in parliament to be done for the weill of the realme,
and forthir, to conclud vpoun all thingis necessar and neidfuU for the com-
mound weill of burrowis and of the haill realme.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 307
28<A November^ 1557. 28th Nov.,
The said day, the counsall ordanis ane wryting to be maid and send to ^^^'
the toune of Dundy, that thai cum nocht heir with thair eremary and mer-
chandoyce at Sanct Nicolace day, becaus it is nocht fair, hot aganis the
prevelege and infeftment of the toune, sua that thai mak nocht trawell heir ;
and to be stoppit, with certificatioun that thai sail nocht be suflPerit ; and thai
to be permittit at the fairis, proclamit, and na wther wais.
29 ^A November^ 1557.
The said day, the counsell ordanis Walter Cant to delyuer Thomas
Menzes, prowest, and Dauid Mar, bailzie, the sowme of thre hundreyth
merkis, to be disponit vpoun gunnis, pulder, and bullatis, be thair awise,
in Leyth, and to tak thair acquittance theroflp, quhilk salbe sufficient dis-
charge to him, in payment of the four hundreytht markis that he is actit
for the tyme to this toune obefoir ; and als ordanis the said Thomas and
Dauid to by fra Martene Balfwir sax picis of arteilzery, vpoun ressonable
pricis as thai cane appunct thairupone.
9th January ^ 1558.
The said day, in presens of the haill toune, being warnit, &c., it wes
exponit to thame opinlie in jugement, be ane honorable man, Maister Ro-
bert Lumisden, quhow that my Lord Erll of Huntly hes direckit him to
mak requeist to the provest, bailies, counsell, and haill communite of this
gud toune, to suffir and tollerat Wm. Lesly, sone and apperand air to ane
honorabil man, Johnnp Lesly of Balquhane, to occupy the townis landis of
Ardlar, without premunitioune to be mayd to him, and the occupyars
thairof to remuif thairfra induring the townis will, the said William makand
to thaim guid and thankfuU payment of the aid maill tharof, yeirlie and
termly, in tym cumyng, sa lang as he occupyis the same ; and findan re-
sponsall burgess men of this burght cautionars and souerteis thairfor, and
for pament of the sowme of [ ], restand awand to
the toune of byrun mailis thairof, at sic resonabill termes and dais as the
counsell will assing to him for payment tharof. And the haill communite
of the said burght being particularlie, euery man be himself, votit and in-
quyrit thairupoun, be the ordour of the suit rol, all maneir of persone re-
fusit allanerlie to gif the said William Leslie ony tytill, tak, tolleranss, or
intres to the saidis landis ; bot the same to be sett in tak to tennents, lau-
308 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
9th January, borars of the ground, haldan and foUowand the pleucht with thair awin
^^^- hands, to be haldyn iramediatlie of the toune, for payment of sic mayll
and dwety as the toune as thai sell condiscend and appunct thairupoune ;
and na lord, laird, nor burgess to haf ony tak nor intres thairto, hot onlie
the laborars of the ground with thair awyne hands, as said is, conforme to
the act and ordinance raayd be the haill toune thairupoune obefoir, quhilk
thai var suorn and oblist to obserff, as the said act purports, of the dayt
the sevint day of October, the yeir of God j" v<= xlvij yeirs : and of new
affirmit, ratifeit, approvit the said act and ordinans, and the contentis
thairof to stand in effect and valour perpetualie in all tyme to cum, and
neuer to violat nor abrogat the samen, be coverit craft, ingin, nor color,
frathinfurtht, under the paine of periurie, infamite, and inhabilite. Neuer-
theles Thomas Menzes, prouest, Maister Robert Lumysden, Alexr. Ru-
therfurd, Alexr. Lyoune, and James Leslie, grantit and consentit that the
tennentis that presentlie laubowris the saids lands be sufferit occupy the
samen (without premunitioune to be maid) induring the towniss will, thai
findan cautionars in this toune for thankfuU payment of thair maill, yeirlie
and termlie, sa lang as thai sell be sufferit occupy the same, and siclik for
payment of the byrun maylis, restand awand to the toune alwais ; the said
act and ordinans neuer to be violat nor brokin, bot to stand in effect per-
petualie in all tym cuming.
26tk January i 1558.
The said day, the belmane, &c., warnit all the haill toune to conveyne
this day in the tolbuith for sic affairis as accurrit for taxatioun of the
taxt now set therwpoune be our souerane lady, and thairefter the prouest
and baillie, with the maist pairt of the towne, being convenit, nominat the
fywe personis vnder wrytine to set the taxatioun forsaid, and requyrit thame
to ressaue the aytht, and to taxt the inhabitantis of this burght. And the
provest and baillies causit the officiaris to gif thame charge to accept the
samyne ; and gif thai did nocht, that the danger that followis thairupone
be imput to thame. And the saidis personis refuisit and wald nocht accept
the said charge on thame, and thairfor the saidis prowest and baillies pro-
testit that thai incur the danger and skayth that followis thairupoune.
Taxtaris: Alexander Rutherfurd, Gilbert Malysone, Thomas Branche,
Gilbert CoUysone, Walter Cullane.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 309
2lst Aprils 1558. 2ist April,
Thir ar the personis nemmit be the haill toune to stent, ilk man of walour ^'''^^•
of xl lib. in guidis to be wnder the said stent, to furneis vageris extranearis
to the nummer of ane hundreytht men, to be haldyne be the inhabitantis of
this burght, viz., ilk man eftir his substans : Maister Patrik Rutherfurd,
Johnne Lowsoun, Johnne TullidefF, Maister Thomas Synne, Alexander
Knowis ; quhilkis personis war all sworne to the effect forsaid, except
Alexr. Knowis, vpone quhorae the provest and baillies
X'ith May, 1558.
The said day, James AUane and Mariorie Bryane, his spous, wer con-
vickit, and put in amerciament of court, for the strublens, striking, and bla
making of Mariorie Pattoun, induellar of Monymusk, vnder sylens of nycht,
within the toune of Futte, and for the wrangous reiffing and away taking
fra hir of ane plyd, ane pettioitt, twa curclus, ane collar, ane bukram ap-
prowne, ane stomak, ane preyne cod, and xvj d. thairin ; and the baillies
ordanit thame to restoir the said geir within xxiiij houris, and thair feit to
be fetterit and haldine in the goif stoikis xxiiij houris, and thairefter the
amendis to be modifeit be the consell.
\st Julyy 1558.
The said day, the baillies decernit and decreittit that Mr. Johnne Reid,
cheplane of Sanct Katherinis cheppell, situat within the burght of Abir-
dene, vpoun Sanct Katherinis hill, hes provin sufficientlie that the passage
and commond venuall that passis to the said cheppell, furtht of the Schip-
raw at the eist part, be aid vse and wont, vnto the Grene at the wast pairt ;
vpoune the quhilkis his predecessouris obtenit ane decreit obefor aganis
Johnne Chalmer, extendit be aid vse and wont to fywe fuittis, quhairby tua
men gangand togider mycht easaly pas and repass to and fra the said
cheppell, and siclyk ane horse with ane laid at the narrowest pairt of the
said passage, and was oppine and patent aboun and vndernetht, redy to all
our soverane ladeis leigis that wald resort and hant to the said cheppell and
(be that passage fra the Shipraw) to the Grene in tymis bygane, past
memour of man ; quhill the said Johnne Chalmer maid impediment thairto,
conforme to the decreit geivin thairupoune obefoir, of the dait the fyft day
of Junii, the yeir of God j" V xlij yeiris ; and ordanis the officiaris to put
the said decreit to dew executioune, conforme to our soverane ladyis lettres
2 R
310 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
irt July, direct to the provest and baillies thairvpoune, the said Johnne Chalmer
^^^ being lauchtfully warnit to all the dyettis and termis of the process of this
pley.
6th September J 1558.
The said day, in presens of Thomas Nicolsoune, ane of the bailies of
the hurt of Aberdeen, and witnes vnder wrytten, compeirit Martyne
Michaelsoune and Herman Geriesoun, indwellaris of the toune of Fleshing,
in Zeland, and obleist thame selffs, coniunctlie and seallie, and for bay*,
and bay', forane, thair bodies, landis, guids, to content and thankfuUie pay
to Johne Tullidaf, burgis of Abirden, or his factours within the toune of
Carapheir, in Zeland, the soume of twa hundryt four scoir and fywe cronis
of the Sonne, or thane the wallow thairof, betuix the dait of thir presents
and the fest of Sanct Martyne nyxt to cum, and that for the ransoume of
Halbert Jansoen, duelland in grit bruik, in Holland, quha layas pledge
to the said Jhonne for the said soume, for the said Halbart and his coUeggs,
quhilk Halbart the said Marten and Herman grantit thayme instantlie to
haf resauit, intromettit, and accepit in guid haill, prowiding alwayis that
gif the saidis Martyne and Herman bringis and delyueris to the said Jhonne
or his factours, at the day forsaid, ane sufficient testemonie of the toune of
Hamburt, under the seall thairof, that Jacop Selmor or Dauid Maill, burgis of
Hamburt, or any ane of thame, hes gottin and resauit payment of the forsaid
sowme of fourten scoir and fywe cronis of the soune, or the wallow thairof,
in name and behalf of the said Jhone Tullydaf, to be furtcumand to hyme,
in that case the saids Martyne and Herman to be fre and exonerat of pay-
ment of the said soume, notwithstanding this obligatioune. And falzeing
of payment of the soume forsaid at the day afoir reheirsit, or thane deluiuir
the said testemonie at the sarayn day, the said Martyne and Herman obliss
thame, coniunctlie and seallie, in maner forsaid, to restoir and delyuer the
said Halbert to the said Jhonne TuUydaff, in als guid haill as he is now,
within the toune of Abirden, betuix this and Zule nixt to cum ; and failzeing
thairof, to stand dettor to hyme for the said sowme afoir reheirsit, befor
thir witnes : William Forbes, Patrik Gray, George Kenadie, with utheris
dyueris.
The said day, in presens of Thomas Nicolson, baize, Martyn Michael-
sone, skipper of the Flissing schip, grantit and confessit that he resauit in
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 311
his said ship, in Zeland, tua punseonis of alme, with certane uther mer- 6th September,
chandrises fra Jhone Smyt, to be deliuerit to Androw Buk in Abirdene, ^^^•
and that the said Androw hes gottin and resauit hot ane punseoune of the
said alme and tenne pound weicht of the wther punseoun, and xlix bollis
and ane half boll of gryt salt allauerly, with tua pounds of wat saifroune,
and spilt with salt watt, and ane hot of wyne seek, quhilk inlaykit the third
pairt thairof ; and siclik Zegyr Jansoun, seruand to the said Jhone Smyt,
affermit and grantit the same, upoune the quhilkis the said Androw tuk act
of court and instrument.
The said day, Martyn Michaelsoune, skipper of the Flissin ship, grantit
and confessit him to haf resauit in his said ship, fra Androw Buk, four lasts
of salmond, and the rest of his said shippis laidning in skynnis, to be de-
liuerit to Johnne Smyt, in Flissing, in presens of Thomas Nicolson, baize.
Ut October, 1558.
The said day, the counsell ordanis the thesaurar to deliuer Maister
George Myddiltoun, baize, tene pounds for his expensess in ryding to Edin-
burt, to convene witht the remanent commissionars of burrowis, conform
to his commissioune gawyn hym thairupoune.
3d October, 1558.
The said day, Maister George Myddiltoun presentit our souerane ladyis
letters impetrat be hym, and be virtu of the quhilkis AVilliam Barclay,
messinger and shiref in that pairt, dischargit the prowest and bailies, coun-
sell and communitie of Abirdene, of all chesing of the said Maister
George in the office of balzerie, or ony wther office within the said burght,
during the space of thre yeirs immediately folloving the fest of Sanct
Michaell, in the yeir of God j"" v'' fyfty and aucht yeirs, and of thair offices
in that pairt, in the meyntyme, for certane causis contenit in the saids
lettres. And the prowest, bailies, counsell, and communite soliscit the
said Maister George to accept the said office of balzerie for this ane yeir,
and grantit and consentit that his saids letters be obeyt and obtemperat at
the nixt fest of Sanct Michaell, and haf wynt for thre yeirs thaireftir fol-
lowing, of the quhilks letters the tenor eftir foUowis.
Marie, be the grace of God, queyne of Scottis, to our louitts William
312 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
3d October, Barclay, Jhone Bessat) [ ] our shireffs in that pairt, conuinctlie
^^^ and sealie specialle constitut gretting : Forsaraekil as be the informatione
of our louit Maister George Myddiltoune, ane of the bailies of our burght
of Abirden, it is understandit to wit, that the prowest, bailies, counsell, and
communite thairof hes chosin hyme in ane of the baillies of the samyn thir
thre syndrye yeiris last bypast, quhair throw he hes bene subiect to con-
tinuall depending upoune the serwis in the said office within the said burght
during the said space, [ ] and grit charge and expensis, and doand
na proffiet to hyme selff be hi§ industre and cheng, quhilk he myt have usit
outwith our said burght in the meyne tyme, quhar, bye the actis of our par-
liament it is expreslie providit that all our officiaris within our burro wis
salbe chengit yeirle, and swa he aucht not to be contenuit in the said office
langar nor the space of ane yeir ; and the said Maister George hes nocht
land rents within our said burght, but lewis be his Industrie furtht of the
samyn ; and thair is not sic lak of qualifiet men within our said burght, that
of necessitie the said Maister George behauit to be contenwit saraonye
yeris in the said office, quhar thro it appeiris that his contenwance hes pro-
cedit mair of his skaytht nor ony zeill of the comand weil ; in respect of the
quhilks premisses, we exem and discharge the said Maister George all beir-
ing of the office of ballierie, or ony uthir office within our said burght, for
als monye yeiris nixt, eftir the fest of Mechelmes nixt to cum, as he buir
the said office of ballierie within the saym, in tymes precedand the said fest,
vizt., be the space of thre yeiris. Our will is heirfor, and we charge you
stratlie, and commandis, that incontinent thir our letters zene, ye pass, and
in our nayme and auctorite, discharge the prowest, bailies, counsell, and
communite of our said burght of Abirden, of all chessing of the said Maister
George, in bailie or ony uthir office within our said burght, during the said
space of thre yers nixt following the said fest of Mechalmes nixt to cum,
and of thair office in that pairt in the meyne tyme. The quhilk to do we
commit to you, conuinctlie and severallie, our full power be thir our letters,
delyuering thaim be you duelie execut, and indorsat agan to the berrer.
Gewin under our signet, and subscrivit be our derrest moder the queue
dourrar and regent of our realme, at Edenburght, the xix of Julij, and of
our regne the saxtene yer.
The said day, the prowest, bailies, counsell, and communite, eleckit and
nominal Maister George Myddiltoune, baize, thair commissionar, to ryd to
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 313
Edinburght, and thair to coneyne with the remanent commissi onars of the 3d October,
burrovis of Scotland, conforme to the wryting send to this toun fra the i^^^-
prowest, bailies, and counsell of Edinburght, to consult and advyiss in fynd-
ing of the maist easy way and remeid anent the hurt imput on the bur-
rowis to pay the taxatioune of viij pounds usuall money of Scotland to our
soverane lady the quenis grace, (quhom God comfort and preserflp,) grantit
to hir maieste be the mowther estaytis, without adwyiss, calling, or consent
of the estayt of burgesses, to the hurt of thair antient liberte and priuelege,
quhilk thai haf had past memore of man, and to prowyd reformatioune and
remeid thairintill, gif the samen may be had with the adwiss of the rema-
nent commissionars forsaid ; and ordanis ane commissioun to be gewin the
said Maister George thairupoun, under the townis commoun seill.
1th October, 1558.
The said day, the counsell consentit and grantit to Mr. Johnne Blak,
maister of thair sang senile, ane yeirlie pensioune of tuenty tua merkis usuall
money of Scotland for his guid and continuall seruice to be done daily in the
queir of thair proche kirk, in the menteinning of Godds [service], and for the
lernning and instructioune of the barinss of thir sang scuill, induring all the
daiss of his lyftyme, as selbe contenit in his gyft to be maid thairupoun,
under the tovnis common seall at mair lyntht ; of the quhilk the tenur eftir
foUowis : Be it kend till all men be thir present letters, vs prowest, bailies,
counsell, and communite of the burght of Abirdene : Forsamekill as we
wnderstand the gud and continuall seruice done till ws be our louit seruitor
Sir Johnne Blak, choristar in our queir of our proche kirk of Abirdene, and
maister of the myd lettroun thairof, and of our sang scuill, in the mentein-
ing and uphalding of Goddis seruice in our said proche kirk, to the honor
and gloir of God ; and siclik understanding his diligent cair and laubours
tane be hym in the instructioune and lernyng of the barins of our said sang
scuill, sua that his laubowris ar be the fruit thairof notovrlie knawin till us.
Thairfor, and for wthir ressonabill caussis and considerationis mowing us,
we haf gewin, grantit, and disponit, and be thir presentis gewis, grantis,
and disponis to the said Sir Johnne ane yeirlie pensioune of tuenty tua
merks usuall money of Scotland, to be payt to hym of our comound gud
be our thesaurar or den of gild for the tyrae, at tua usuall termes in the
yeir, Wytsonday and Mertimes, be tua equall portionis yeirlie, induring all
314 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
7th October, the dais and termes of the said Sir Johnnis lyftyra, his entre thairto to be
1658. jmd begin at the fest of Sanct Mertyn nixt to cum, in the yeir of God j" v«
fyfty and aucht yeirs, and thaireftir to continew in peciabill josing and
bruiking of the same, but interuptioune or impediment induring the space
forsaid, provyding alwyss that the said Sir Johnne remanent personaly with
us in our said seruice of queir and scuyll, and continew in his diligentt at-
tendans and cair thairof as he dois presentlie (saiflPand the impediment of
infirmite or inhabilite of person) induring all the dais of his lyf ; and we
bind and obleiss ws and our successors to warrand the said yeirlie pensioune
of tuenty tuo merks money forsaid to the said Sir Johnne, for the causses
abowne exprimyt, induring all the daiss and termes of his lyftyme. Be this
our letter of gyft and donatioune, to the quhilks we haf affixit our commound
seall at Abd., the sewint day of October, the yeir of God j™ v'' fyfty and
aucht yeirs.
8th October, 1558.
The said day, in presens of the prowest, bailies, and counsell of
Abirdene, conuenit in the chepdour howss within the proche kirk of
the said burght, the hayll cheplanis of the said kirk consentit and
grantit to gyf to Rechert Reid, singar, the commounds of the stall now
vacand, quhilk Maister James Chowmer had obefor the tym he wes
maister of thair grammar scuill, and ordanis Maister Eduard Menzes,
collector, to ansuer the said Rechert thairof of all termes bygane, sen the
said stall and place was found vacand ; and the counsell forsaid obleist
thaim to stand, concur, and assist with the saids cheplaniss in the defens
of the pley mowit be the said Maister James for his pretendit tytill of the
said stall, befor quhatsumeuer juge, spirituall and temporall.
21*^ October, 1558.
The sayd day, the prowest, baillies, and counsell devysit and ordanit
that all personis that ar mayd fremeand, burgessis of this gud toune,
remaning in landward and wder wais quher, sell cum at the fest of Wyt-
sounday nixt cumis, with thair wiffis, bairnis, and howshald, gif thai ony
haf, to this burght, and mak actuall residens thairin, and scott, lot, walk,
and ward, conforme to thair aith, wnder the pane of tynsell of thair fre-
dome, and all takkis, fewis, profytts, and priuileges that thai haf of this
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 316
gud toune ; and ordanit the samin to be deuulgat and proclamit the morne, 2ist October,
quhilk is principall mercat day of the oulk, opinly at the mercat croce, sua ^^^•
nane pretend ignorans of this statut, with certification as effers.
4tk January^ 1559.
The said day, the haill toune being warnit, &c., it wes exponit to thame
be the baillies, be the speche of Dauid Mar, and of the baillies forsaid, and
thesaurar of this guid toune, eleckit for this present yeir, quhow that
certane strangearis, and sum nichtbours and induellaris of this burght,
hes enterit to the blak freiris and quhyt freiris of this town, and spulzeit
thair places, and takin away the gere and gudis of the samen, witht the
tymmar wark and insicht, togidder with the leid of the kirkis, and now
ar enterit upoun the ruiffis of the kirkis and biggings, and takand away
the sklayttis, tymrair, and stanis thairof, applyand the samen to thair awin
particular uses ; and inquirit the toune gif thai thocht it expedient to pre-
serue the saidis tymmir, sklattis, and stanis, and the samen to be intro-
mittit and applyit to the commond warkis of the toune, for the comond
Weill and utilitie thairof, togidder with the croftis, landis, and emoliraentis
that belangit the saidis freiris, and the profyttis thairof to be applyit to
the commond weill of the toune, and specialy for the furthsettin of Goddis
glory, and his trew word and prechours thairof, and that the toune ma
be the moir habill to concur and assist for the defence of the libertie of
the realrae, expelling of strangeris, and suppressing of ydolatrye, and
requyrit thaim opinly to declair thair myndis, and conclud quhat thai
thocht expedient to be done heirintill. Quhilkis all in ane voce, that war
present, except Gilbert CoUisone, consentit and assentit that the said
Dauid Mar, baize and thesaurar of the toun, suld introraet with the saidis
sklayttis, tymmer, and stanis, in name and behalf of the toun, and siclyk
to intromett, eir, laubour, and occupy the croftis that belangit the saidis
freirs, or sett the sam to lauboraris in tak and assedatioune in the townis
name, and the haill profittis of the sam to be applyit in the townis uses,
for the commond weill thairof, furth setting of Goddis glorie, and men-
tening of his word, and defens of the liberte of the realme, ; and that no
particular persone nor personis be sufferit to intromett with the same, nor
na part thairof, frathefurtht ; and ordanis publict proclamationis to be
maid opinly at the mercat cors heirupone as eflPeirs, and oblist thaim to
releif the said Dauid Mar of all dangeir and damnage that ma follow heir-
316 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
4th January. upoDe. Extract de libro actorum curie balliuorum burgi de Abd. per me
1659. scribara eiusdem subscript.
8th January, 1559.
The sayd day, Dauid Mar, baize and thesaurar of this gud toun, eleckyt
for this instant yeir, exponit to the haill toune opynlie in jugement, quhow
thai obefor thocht expedient, and devysit that the sklayttis, tymmir, and
stanis of the blak freirs and the quhit freirs that ar in place onspoulzet,
suld be intromettit witht be him, and applyit to the commound warkis of
the toune, upoun the quhilks he culd nocht continewally await, quharthrow
thair wald inlayk mekill thairof, without diligent attendance war takin
thairto, and requyrit the toune to cheis four personis to awayt on the doun
taking and keyping of the samen on the townis expensiss, quhilt thai all
thocht expedient to be done ; and alsua ordanit the said thesaurer to intro-
raett with the croftis and howsiss belangand to the saids freirs, and apply
the mailis and profyttis thairof in the use of the toun, for the commound
weyll thairof.
The said day, Gilbert Menzes, youngar, procurator for Thomas Menzes
of Petfodellis, prouest of this gud toune, his father, and for him selff,
Gilbert Menzes eldar, Maister Thomas Menzes, Gilbert CoUisone, Alexr.
Chawmer, and Symon Burnat, dissentit to the doun taking of the said
religiovs places, and applying of ony part in the townis effeyrs, becaus the
same is contrar the mynd of the authorite and manifest tressoune ; and
protestit for tham selffis and thair adherentis, that quhat dangeir and
damnage cumis thair throw on this burght and inhabitants thairof, that thai
be saythles and mair no preiudice, hot that the committaris of the cryme
ansuer for the deid.
The said day, the bailies protestit in jugement that the protestatioune
aboune wrytin be of na effect nor valor, becaus the saids personis maid no
resistance at the begynning, nor requyrit the bailies to concur with thaim
for resisting, and protestit gif ony accusatioune cumis for the distroing
of ony kirk or place in tym cuming, that all thai quhom thai ma proff to
haf intromettit witht ony part tharof be accusabill for the same, and ansuer
thairfor as participant thairof, nochtwithtstanding ony protestatioun maid be
thaim in the contrar, be ressoun the provest is principall of the toun, and
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 317
maid no resistens, nor yit did requyr thaim to concur witht hym thairto as 8th January.
thai allegit. i-^-^^-
The said day, the haill toune ordanis the four personis, quhilkis war
nominat be the counsell obefor, that is to say, Gilbert Collison, Maister
George Myddiltoune, Gilbert Menzes eldar, and Gilbert Malysoune, to
intromett and resayf in thair keiping the chalices, siluer wark, and orna-
ments of thair proche kirk, quhill the toune consultit quhat war expedient
to be done thairwitht, to be warnit to corapeir befor the toune on Fredday
nixt cumis in thair gild court, to exhibit the said siluer wark, and restoir
the same to the toune, to be applyit in the uses of the toun, for the cora-
mound weill thairof, witht dew intimatioune, gif thai compeyrit nocht, the
baillies, with the adwiss of the toune, wald decerne heirintill, for the weill
of the toune, as thai thocht expedient, and presentlie warnit in jugement
apud acta Gilbert Menzes, Gilbert Collisone, and Gilbert Malison, per-
sonalie to compeir the said day, with certificatioune as effeiris.
\2th January i 1559.
The said day, Dauid Mar, baize and thesaurar of this guid toune, in
name and behalf of the haill toune, being conuenit in thair gild court, de-
syrit Gilbert Menzes eldar, Gilbert Collisoun, Maister George Myddil-
toune, and Gilbert Malyson, quhilkis war eleckit and nominat be the coun-
sell obefor to intromett and keyp the siluer wark and ornamentis of thair
proche kirk obefor, to restoir and deliuer the same to the toune, that thai
mycht do thairwitht as thai thocht expedient for the commond weill of the
toune ; quhilkis personis confessit and grantit that thai resauit be deliuerans
of the counsell the siluer wark, kapis, and ornamentis of the said proche
kirk in keyping, contenit in ane inuitor subscrywit be Maister Robert
Lumysden and be Maister Johnn Kennedy, scrib of the toun, and gyff the
counsell, in semlabill way conuenit, wald decerne thaim to restoir the same
to thame quhom fra thai resauit the cuir and keiping thairof, thai offeirit
thaim o-laidlie to obey the ordinans of the counsell ; and the prowest and
bailies ordanit the haill counsall to be warnyt to be conuenit in the coun-
sell hous the morne at nyne hours, to consult and conclud in the premisses;,
and warnyt so mony of the counsell as war present in jugement, with inti-
matioun as eff'ers.
2 s
318 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
12th January, The Said day, Thomas Menzes, pro west, exponit opinlie in jugement, in
1559. presens of the haill toune, quhow in thair last heid court, haldin the viij day
of Januar instant, he being absent of the toune excersing his lesum bessenes,
quhilk necessite of tym requyrit him to do, the bailies and raaist part of the
toune hes maid certane publict ordinances contrar the comraound weill of
this burght, and repugnand to the will of the authorite, specialy anent the
dvune taking of the religiows places, and applying of the sklayttis, tymmir,
and stanis thairof in the commound usis of the toune, and siclik to bestow
and employ the townis commound guid on the sustentatioun of certane
prechers ; quhilkis ordinances, as he allegit, ar direct contrar the commound
Weill of this guid toune, and contrarius to the will of the authorite : first, in
respect that the begynning of the said distructioune and dissipatioun of the
saidis places wes done be certan particular personis, sura extranears and
sum dwelling within the toune, quharof the haill communite wes nocht par-
ticipant, hot for the maist part war innocent and fre of the said cryme ; and
gyif the bailies and toune wald continew and compleit the distructioune be-
gun by wthers, and employ the residew of the saidis places in the towniss
usis, the haill toun vald be reput art and part, and participant of the said
crym, and stand wnder the accusatioune of the authorite thairfor, to the
gryt hurt, damnage, and detriment of this burght, and the puir innocent
burgessis thairof; secundlie, the sayds prechers war tollerat be permis-
sioune of the authorite, quhar and quhow thai plesit, quhill the tent day of
Januar instant, be ane contract and appunctment maid betuix the quenis
grace and the principalis of the congregatioun, eftir the said tent day is dis-
soluit and expyrit, and that the toune aucht nocht to mak expenssis on the
sustentatioun of precheors, hot the bischop aucht to mak the same, and find
us sufficient precheors quha resauis his duety thairfor, and sua to employ
the townis commound gude in sic waiss is contrar the commond weill of the
toune, and aucht nocht to be allowit to the auditors of the townis compts ;
thairfor the said Thomas Menzes, prowest, for himself and his adherentis,
dissentit to all distructioune and dissipatioun of the saids kirks and places,
and applying of the same or ony part thairof in the uses of the toune, and
siclik of employing or bestowing of the townis commound gud or ony part
thairof on the saids precheors ; and he, as prowest, inhibit Dauid Mar,
thesaurar, to deliuer ony money or mak expenssis on the said precheors of
the emoluments of the toune ; and protestit solemptly that he and his ad-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 319
herentis be nocht reput art, part, nor participant of the saidis crymes, nor 12th January,
incur danger, damnage, nor skayth thairfor in tym cuming ; upoun the ^^^^•
quhilks he tuk act and instrument, in presens of the haill toune.
The said day, Gilbert Menzes youngar, Gilbert Menzes elder, Gilbert
CoUysoune, Maister George Myddiltoune, Maister Thomas Menzes, Alexr.
Chalvmer, Andrew Lesly, Andrew Buk, Patre Lesly, Andrew Huntar,
Dauid CoUisoune, Maister James Burnat, Maister Robert Chawmer, and
Maister Androw Mathow, and Walter CuUan elder, allegit thaimselfs, for
the maist part, was absent fra the last held court doyng thair lesum bisse-
nes, and knew nocht of the publict ordinances anent the doun taking of ony
kirks or places, and thairfor adherit to the protestatioun maid be the pro-
west and affermyt the same, protestand in lyk maneyr for thaimselfs parti-
cularly ; on the quhilks thai and ilka of thaim tuk act and instrument, in
presens of the haill toune. And attour, the saids Gilbert Menzes youngar,
Maister George Myddiltoune, and Alexr. Chamer, allegit thai had
certan crofts in tak and assedatioune pertening to blak freirs and quhyt
freirs of this burght respectiue, as thair assedationis bairis ; and protestit
quhat ordinans beis maid or hes beine maid be the commonis or be the coun-
sell of this burght in thair absens, anent the saids crofts, be nocht hurtfull
nor preiudiciall to thair rychts, and that thai ma haf remeid of law of quhat-
sumeuir personis that mellis or intrometts thairwitht induring thar taks ;
apoun the quhilks thai tuk act of court and instruments.
I3th January, 1559.
The said day, the haill toune, being conuenit togider in the counsell
houss, (except Patre Menzes being absent,) all in ane voce, deny sit and or-
danit that Gilbert Menzes elder, Gilbert CoUison, Maister George Myddil-
toune, and Gilbert Malyson, keipars of the siluer wark, kaipis, and orna-
mentis of the proche kirk, quhilk thai resauit in keyping obefor be deliuerans
of the provest and counsell, to restoir the samen agane to the saids pro-
west and counsell, quha of new nominat Maister Patre Ruderfurd, Alexr.
Knowis, Johnne Lowsoun, and Gilbert Malyson to haf the keiping of the
said siluer wark and ornamentis, conform to the inuitour subscry wit obefor ;
quhilkis personis accepit the cuir and keyping thairof on thara, ay and quhill
thai be decernit be the provest and counsell to restoir the same, and band
and obleist thaim, and ilka of thaim, thair airs, executors, and assignaiss.
320 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th January, conjuDctUe and seueralic, to restoir the same, conforme to the inuitor, at
^^^' the ordinans of the prowest and counsell, quhen thai think tyme, and obleissis
thaim to gif ane just inuitor of thair ressait, subscrywit witht thair handis,
quhilks being deliuerit to thaim, the said four first keiparls ar dischargit
thairof be the counsell frathynfurtht.
We, Maister Patre Ruderfurd, Alexr. Knowis, Johnne Lowson, and
Gilbert Malyson, burgessis of Abirdene, grantis to haf resawit, be the
handis of Gilbert Menzeis eldar, Gilbert CoUison, Maister George Myddil-
toune, and the said Gilbert Malyson, burgessis of the said burght, at com-
mand and ordinans of the prowest and haill counsell, the gryt eucharist
chalices and siluer wark, togidder witht the kappis and ornamentis wnder
specifit of Sanct Nicolas kirk of Abirdene, in keyping ; quhilk we obleissis
ws to restoir to the saidis prowest and counsell, convenit in sameabill
nianeir as thai war be thar ordinans, quhen thai requyre us thairfor, to the
quhilk we bind and obleissis our airs, executoris, and assignais, coniunctlie
and seueralie, lelye and treuly, but fraud or gyill. Heir followis the in-
uitor of the said siluer wark and ornamentis : Item, inprimis, the eucharyst,
of four pound and two unce of siluer ; item, ane chalice of our lady of pity
in the wowlt, nyntene unce ; item, our lady chalice of the sowth yill, nyn-
tene vnce and ane quart vnce ; item, Sanct P3teris chalice, fyftene vnce
and ane half wnce : item, tuo pair of censuris, of tretty aucht wnce, togidder
witht four crowattis and ane litill schip of saxtene vnce and ane half; item,
ane chalice of Sanct Johnne the Ewangelist, thretty unce and ane half
vnce ; item, the hospitall chalice, sewintene vnce and ane half ; item, our
lady chalice of brig cheppell, tuenty unce ; item, Sanct Duthakis chalice,
twelf wnce and ane quarter wnce ; item, Sanct Nicolas chalice, thretty
nyne vnce and ane half vnce ; item, Sanct dementis chalice, tene vnce
and ane quart vnce ; item, the Ruid chalice, saxten vnce, all of siluer ; item,
ane keipe, ane chesabill, witht two tynnakillis, haill fournist with reid weluet,
flourit and indentit with gold ; item, ane kaip of fyne claytht of gold ;
item, ane kaip of claytht of gold, fresit with reid veluott ; item, ane kaip
and chesapill, witht tynnakillis, haill furnist of gold, fresit on grene veluott ;
item, two keipis of reid veluott, orpheist with gold. At Abd., the xv
day of Januar, the yeir of God ane thowsand fywe hundretht fyfty and
nyne yeirs, befor thir witnes : Maister Thomas Menzeis, Alexr. Chaw-
mer, William Robertson, goldsmycht, Wm. Barclay, Sir Johnne Collison,
OF THE BURGH OF ABEEDEEN. 321
Dauid Collison, Sir William Walcar, and Maister Johnne Kennedy, notar i3th January,
publict, witht vder diuerss. ^^^^•
\9th January^ 1559.
The said day, the provest and bailies ordanit the four officiars to pass
with Sir Johnn CoUisoun, cheplane of our lady altar, situate within the
proche kirk of Abirdene, quhais gift and donatioune thairof perteins to
the patronage and dispositioune of this gud toune as patrons thairto, and
poynd and distrenze for all annuell rents awand to the said cheplane of thre
termes immediatly bygane, conforme to his rentall, and to mak hira to be
payit thairof incontinent, sa far as restis awand, without forther delay.
23</ January^ 1559.
The said day, the haill counsell ordanis Gilbert Menzes zoungar, maister
of the blokhous and keipar of the townis artilzerie, to make the samen
reddy and patent to the thesaurar of this gud toune, to the effect that the
artilzery ma be sene, clengit, and preparit in all necessaris, to be in reddines
quhen the toune hapins to haf ado thairwitht ; and ordanis the said the-
saurar to prepair the saraen on the townis expenssis, quhilk sell be allowit
in his compts.
The said day, the counsell concludit, all in ane voce, to wphald and
menteyine the gray freirs place within this burght, and to suffer no hurt,
violence, nor distructioun be don thairto, to defend the samen at thair
wtter pover fra all distructioun and iniur, of quhatsumeucr persone or
personis, and ordanit the thesaurar to produce four honest personis to re-
mane thairin and awayt diligently thairupoun on the townis expenssis, be-
caus the saids freirs hes resignit all thair tytill and interes of the said place
in fauors of the toune, to be wnder thair menteinans and protectioune, on
distroyit or castin doun ; and conforme to the counsellis ordinance, thai or-
dane to gyf ansuer to my Lord Huntlyis missiue bill send to the prowest
and bailies.
I^th February, 1559.
The said day, the prowest and bailies ordanit the four officiars to pass
with the cheplanis of Sanct Nicolas proche kirk, or thair collector, and
assist, fortify, and concur witht thaim in poynding and distrenzeing of all
322 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
20th February, pcrsonis that ar restand awand to thaim of their annuell rentis, mailis, and
1559. duetie of thre terraes immediatly bygane, and to corapryiss the sam and
mak thaim payment incontinent conforme to thair infeftraents; and gif ony
persone or personis deforsis, to warne thaim to ane court to be haldin on
the ground, to heir and se, and recent deforss prowyn on thaim, conform to
the consuetud vsit obefor in sic caycis.
8th March, 1559.
The sayd day, the prowest, bailies, and counsell, that war present for
the tym, grantit and gayff licens to Patric Menzes to occupy and use Sanct
Clements chapel in Futty induring thar vyll, he wphaldand the same
watterthect, and quhen thai sail haf ado thairwith, and requiris the same
agane, to be randerit to thame at thair will and plesure.
nth March, 1559.
The said day, the haill communite of this guid toune, beyng warnit to
this day, and compeyrand for the maist part, grantit and consentit to sup-
port the congregatioun, as the counsell sail think expedient, effering to
thair pussans and faculte, be sending to thame of certane men of this toune
for to stent ane taxatioun to furniss certane men of weir, to be wnder the
charge of ane capitane, for defens of the liberty of this realme, and com-
mond Weill of this burgh, alwais nocht granting to the said support to in-
terpryss ony purpos aganis the authorite ; and thairefter the counsell, being
conuenit in the counsell hows, modifyt the said support to the sowme of
four hundreth pondis, to be stentit on the haill communite of this burgh,
for furnessing of fourtty men of weir to be send to the congregatioun for
defens of the liberte of the realm, provyding, as said is, that it be nocht
to interpryis ony porposs contrar the quenis grace and hir authorite, and
nemyt Gilbert Malysoun, Johnn TuUideff, Wm. Forbes, Androw Huntar,
and Patre Gray, taxtaris, to stent the said taxatioun.
The said day, Gilbert CoUysoune, in special for himself, tuk act and
instrument that he dissentit to sending or furnessing of ony support contrar
the authorite of Scotland, bot allanerly refusit the same.
The said day, the haill toune affermit and apprewit the act and ordinans
maid be thaim obefor, upon the twenty third day of Januar last bypast,
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 323
anent the croftis, howssis, and place and biggings of the blak freirs and the nth March,
quhyt frers, quhilk act wes opynly red in jugeraent, nochtwithstanding the ^^^^"
personis quha dissentit thairto obefor, inlykwyss of new dissentit thairto ;
and attour, Gilbert Menzes elder, Gilbert Menzes younger, Alexander
Chawmer, and Maister George Myddiltoune, for thaim selffs in speciale,
allegit thame to haf tytill and takks respectiue to certane crofts perteining
to the saids frers for certane yers to ryn, as thair assedationis bairis, and
protestit quhat act or ordinans be maid be the toun be nocht prejudiciall
to thair rycht. And Maister Duncan Forbes allegit in likwyiss, that he
had ane tytill to the saids crofts ; and protestit, that in cace ony particular
person or personis mell witht the saids crofts (except the toun and haill
communite to bene applyit to the commond weyll thairof), that he ma haf
place for his interes, and that his tytill ma be sayf to hym, upoun the
quhilks he tuk act and instrument.
I6th June, 1559.
The said day, the cheplanis of Sanct Nicolass proche kirk of Abirdene
compeirit for the maist pairt befoir the prouest and baillies of the said
burght, within the tolbuitht, and presentit ane bill and supplication in wryt,
makand mentione that quhair thai ar suirly aduertist, and is notowrly
knawin, that certane personis in to the southt partis of Scotland hes inter-
pryssit at thair awin hands, without ony ordor or consent of the authorite,
to distroy kirks, religious places, and the ornaments and polacie of the
same, thairfor desyrand the prouest, baillies, and counsell to provyd the
esiast way of remeid, as thai sell think guid, for defending and mentening
of thair said proche kirk, and preserving of the chalices, siluer wark,
kaippis, and ornaments of the same, and to put the same in suir firmance
and keiping quhill the said uproir and tumilt war put to tranquilite be
the antient and wyse counsell of the realme. Quhilk bill being red, and
the contents thairof understand and considderit, the haill counsell thocht
expedient to transport the townis euidents furth of the kirk, and siclyk the
the grit occryst, chalices, siluer wark, and the maist coistly ornaments of
the kirk, and to put the same in suir firmance and keiping, and ane invitor
to be maid thairupoune, and to intromett, preserue, and keip the townis
euidentis, nemit and chesit Thomas Menzeis, prouest, Dauid Mar, Maister
Patrick Ruyerfurd, and Walter Cullane, quhilkis accepit the said cuir and
charge upoun thame. And to intromett with the said siluer wark, kaippis,
824 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
16th June, and omamentis, nemit and chesit Gilbert Menzeis elder, Gilbert CoUisone,
1559. Maister George Myddiltoune, and Gilbert Malysone, quhilkis accepit the
said cuir and charge upone tharae, to be randerit and restoirit agane,
quben the prouest, baillies, and counsell thinks expedient the same be
done.
The said day, the prouest and baillies decernit and ordanit the four of-
ficiaris, or ony ane of thame that beis requirit, heirto to pass with the col-
lector of the cheplanis of Sanct Nicholace proche kirk of Abirdene, and
assist, concur, poynd, and distrenze all landis and housses within this
burght, quhais possessors and occupiars ar restand to tharae thair few
maills, or annuel rents of the Witsonday terme in anno Lviij yeirs, and of
the Mertimes and Witsonday terraes last bypast, conforme to the euidents
and infeftments maid to thame thairupoune ; and to corapryiss the geir
and guids poyndit be thame, and mak penny thairof and paiment to the
saids cheplanis within thre dayess thairefter ; and, gif ony persone or per-
sonis resists or deforces, to warne thame instantly to ane court of fresche
and recent deforce to heir the samyn provin, and iustice ministrat as
effears.
3d July, 1559.
The said day, the provest, bailies, and counsell admyttit Maister
Johnne Hennerson, maister of thar grammar scuill, to the cheplanry of
Sanct Michaelis altar, vithin the proche kirk of Abd., being at the dis-
poune and donacioun as patronis thairto, and being in thar hands throw
the deces of Maister Johnn Watson, last possessor and cheplane thairof,
he making seruice at the said altar, conforme to the foundatioune, and
vsyng the office as maister of the said scuill, and no uder wyss, and ordinis
ane presentatioune to be gewin him thairupoun under the tovnis secreit
seall.
Uth July, 1559.
The bailies ordanis the officiars to pass with Mayster Hector Myrtoune,
cheplan of the Magdalin altar, situate within the proche kirk of Abirdene,
and assist and concur with him in poynding and distrenzeing of ane tene-
ment of land within the yard and lichowss thairof, lyand in the Greyne, in
the rew passand fra Sanct Nicolas kirk to the quhyt freirs on the eyst syd
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 325
thairof, perteining to wmquhill Patre Johnnson, litster, now occupyt be I4th July.
Alexr. Gray, mason, for ane yeirly annuel rent of elevin shillings usuall ^^^^'
money of Scotland, awand to the said Maister Hector, as cheplan forsaid,
of tua termes imraediatly bygane.
\8tk August, 1559.
The sayd day, the bailies decernyt Johnne Durty, of his awin confessioun
maid in jugement, to pay Maister Eduard Menzes, collector to the chep-
lanis of Sanct Nicolas parroche kirk of Abirdene, the sowme of sax merks
usuall money of Scotland, for the few mayll of the sayd Johns land, and
tenement yard, and pertinents lyand on the southt syd of the Castellgett,
betuix the land of Johnne Andersone on the east part, and the land of
Johnne Lesly on the wast part, restand awand to the saids cheplanis of the
Wytsounday terrae last bypast, within viii dais.
30th October, 1559.
The said day, Sir Johnne Blak and Sir Johnne Collison, cheplanis, in
name of the remanent cheplanis, thair breithir of the college and queir of
the proche kirk of Abirdene, gaif and consentit to the bailies and counsell
present for the tyme ane bill of supplicatioune, desyring entre to be patent
to thaim to the said kirk and queir, offering thaimselffs to do the seruice
of God and obserwe thair fundationis according to thair vocatioune and
dwety, and desyrit thair ansueir in raaist humil maneir, and thairupoun tuk
act of court.
2'2d November, 1559.
The counsell ordanis Gilbert CoUisoune, maister of the kirk wark, to
mend and reforme the kirk wyndois and the leid thak of the kirk, and to
find sum remeid to wphald the ruff of the northt yll with propis and scuttis
for this wyntir sessoun, quhill fair wedder cum, to mend the samen ; and
quhat he beis super expendit, the same to be allowit to him in the Mertimes
terme last bypast and Witsounday terme nixt to cum, of his half netts •
fysching of the Mydchingill and his sonis half nettis fysching of the Raik,
sa far as he debursis and beis super expendit, quhill the toune may provyd
and mak forther reparatioune in the said kirk.
29M December, 1559.
The said day, the haill toune being warnit, &c., it wes opinlie exponit
2 T
326 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
•29th Dec., and declarit to thame be Thomas Menzes, thair prowest, quhow he is
1569. suirly aduertisit that certane nychtbours of the Mernis men and Angouss
men, conuenit in congregatioune, ar to be in this toune this present day
to distroy and cast doune the kirkis and religiows places thairof, under
colour and pretence of godlie reformatioune ; and becaus this toune hes no
directioune of the authorite of Scotland to assist and concur with thaim in
that purpos, bot the same is express contrar the will and mynd of the autho-
rite, and thairthrow is manifest tressoun, the said prowest inqyrit the bailies
and hayll [ ] quhat wald be thair part thairin, and gif thai wald concur
with him and his assistars for resisting thairof, sua that eftirward this toune
aucht incur na indignatioune of the authorite, nor be reput culpabill and par-
ticipant of the said cry me, and protestit solemptlie gif thai wald nocht concur
with him and his adherentis to the effect fofsaid, that the accusatioun and
participatioun of the said cryme cum on thaim quha will nocht assist to
him. Upoun the quhilk aduertisment, requisitioune, and protestatioune
the said Thomas Menzes, provest, tuk act of court and instrument, in pre-
sens of the haill toun ; and, in the meyntym, thir personis following, Gil-
bert Menzes eldar, Gilbert Menzes youngar, Mayster Thomas Menzes,
Gilbert Collison, Maister George Myddiltoune, Walter Cullane eldar,
Alexr. Chawmer, Androw Lesly, and Andrew Buk, adherit to the said
protestatioun, and protestit ilka for thaim selffs, in semlable maner, and
tuk acts and instruments respectiue thairupoune.
2lst March, 1560.
The said day, the baillies and counsall consentit and grantit to augment
Maister Johne Hendersoune maister of thair grammar scuillis pensioune
quhilk he had obefoir witht the sowme of tuentye merkis, makand in the
haill the sowme of fyfty merkis vsuall money of Scotland, and ordanis his
interes thairof to be at the feist of Witsonday nixt to cum ; and obleissis
thame to cans him hawe payment of the annuell rentis and deutice of his
cheplanry of Sanct Michell, within thair parroche kirk of Abirdene, of all
termes restand bygane, he gewand in his rentale and restis awand to the
thesaurar, Dauid Mar ; and failzeing thairof, thay ordaine the said thesaurar
to ansuer and obey the said Maister Johnne of ten merkis for the said aug-
mentatioun of the Martimes terme last bypast, and the same to be alowit to
the said thesaurar in his nixt comptis.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 327
3d April, 1560. 3d April,
The said day, anent the bill of eomplent exhibeit in iugement in wret be ^^^*
certane nychtbouris of the toune, exponand quhow diuerse personis hes
biggit and dalie biggis choppis wnder stairis vpoune the forgettis, and thair-
throw diminissis the passage of the streittis, to the great deformaty of this
guid toune and hurt of the commound weill thairof, aganis the auld statutis
and preuilege of the same, desyring thairfoir the prowest, baillies, consell,
and communite to put remeid thairto, quhilkis, all in ane voice, grantit and
consentit thairto, statut and ordanit that na sick choppis be sufferit ony way
to be biggit vpoune the forgettis in tyme curaing ; and gif ony be presentlie
bigand, the same to be stoppit, stayit, and distroyit ; and thai choppis
quhilk ar redey presentlie biggit, and the possessouris thairof in posses-
sioune of the same be certane space and yeris bygane, thay ordaine letters
of cognitioune to be rasit be delyuerance of the lordis of counsell, or quhat-
sumewer wther letters may be purchest to diminess and discipat the same,
with all wther howissis and biggingis biggit vpon the tounis groundis or
comound streittis of the said burght, without sufficient tytile recoverit thair-
vpoune.
7th April, 1560.
The said day, the baillies ordanit Johnne Lowsoun, thesaurer, to pay and
delyuer to Dauid EUeis xxxiij s. iiij d., for the keping of the knok of the
tolbuith fra the deceas of Williame Barclay quhill the feist of Witsounday
nixt to cum, that thaireftir the consell may tak ordour thairanent.
2\st June, 1560.
The said day, compeirit in judgement ane honorabill man, Maister
Johnne Forbes of Barns, quha being accusit for the wrangouss cutting of
ane nett of the pott, upoun the watir of Dee, be his seruandis in his name,
this instant moncth of Junii, as wes allegit, submittand himself, and in name
of his seruandis, gif ony wrang wes committit thairintill, to the ordinans of
the counsell of the guid toun, and oblist him to amend the skaitht and
wrang thairof done to quhatsumeuer persone, be the sycht of Maister Dun-
can Forbes and Mr. Robert Lumisden. And the said Maister Johnne re-
quyrit the baillies in iudgement to causs the maisters and seruands of the
forsaid pot water to desist and ceiss fra forther stelling and stenting of thair
netts athort the water, bot as thai aucht to do conforme to iustice, and pro-
testit, gif thai do nocht, for remeyd of law.
328 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
30M September, 1560.
Be the lewing Lord, the eternal God, quha [made] hevin and erth and all
thing of nocht, and maid men to his awin jmage and similitud, to be just and
trew in all promises according to his godlie will, quha also serchis and
knawis the hartis and thochtis of men, and hes promesit to revenge falsat
and to reward the treutht, I do heir promise and sueir in his presens and
his holy angellis, that I sail lelie and treulie, after my wit and power, dewly
exerce the oflSce of provestry of this burght for the space of this yeir nixt
following, and sail do equall iustice both to puir and rechee, without feid or
favour, nor sail nocht spair to exerce the same iustice for luff, hatrent, wyn-
ning, tyusell, nor na wther thing ma happin, hot sail treulie sett furtht and
meyntene the same, and libertie and priuilege of this burgh, for the com-
mound weill and profytt therof, and also sail mentene and furthsett the fayth
and religioune of Jesus Cryst at my wtter power, and sail be innemy to all
thaim that resistis and ganestandis the saraen. Also I sell assyst, concur,
fortify, and furthtsett all thingis ordanit and concludit to be done be the
nobile consell of this guid toune in all thingis concerning the avansment of
Goddis glory and the libertie and fredome of this burght and communitie
thairof, in equite and justice, as my wit, wnderstanding, puissans, and power
will serwe me to do, at the will and plesure of God ; quhilk I awow and
promise to obserwe in presens of God and this congregatioune.
Qth December, 1560.
The said day, the counsell, present for the tyme, decernit and fand, for
the maist part, that thair suld be na commoune marcatt nor fair be haldin
in this toune at this tyme of Sanct Nicholace day, and that na strangearis
sell sell ony wairis this nixt Settirday hot Scottis wairis, and that quhill xij
houris of the day, except the vairis quhilk thai sell to fre burgesses of this
burght in gryt, vnder the pane of tene poundis of thaim that beis conuickit
thairin ; and this to be intimat to the strangearis be the thesauraris and
denis of gild, and that in respect of the commound marcat and publict fair
in October ; quhilk thai will and ordanis yeirlie to be obseruit.
Ith December, 1560.
This dey, Dauid Mar and Gilbert Menzeis elder, grantit thame to haue
ressauit fra Gilbert CoUisone xviij brassin chandlaris, quhilk stuid one the
lang herse in the queir of Sanct Nicholace parroche kirk ; tua gryt chand-
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN 329
laris of Sanct Nicholass hie altar, with the Sacrament chandlar ; the gryt 7th December,
chandlar of brass, with the thre floueris ; ane pillar of brass, with the imagis ^^^*^-
and thre cattis, and vther grayth thairof ; item, ane lawer of brass ; vj jrne
chandlaris, with the fuitt of brass of the myd lettrane ; sa mony lawaris and
throchtis of brass as war left vnsowin, and the water fatt of brass ; with the
quhilkis the said Gilbert intromettit with in keiping befor, and deliuerit the
same to the saidis Dauid and Gilbert, thesauraris of the toune, at command
of the counsell.
Qth January, 1561.
The said day, the haill toun beand lauchtfully warnit to this day, to
heir and se the siluer wark, brasin wark, keippis, and ornaments of thair
parroche kirk ropit, and the same to be sauld and disponit to thame that
vill oflfer maist for the same ; and the money gottin for the samyn to be
applawdit to the commond weill and necessar adois of this guid toun.
Quhilkis being ropit conforme to the invitour registrat in the buikis
obefoir diuerse tymes be oppin proclamatioun, and diuerse and sindry of-
feraris for the same lauchfull tym of day being biddin, and detful ordour
vsit in sic caissis, being obseruit, the grytest sovme offerit for the same
wes ane hundreth fourtie tua pound be Patrik Menzeis for the keippis,
xxi s. for ilk vnce of siluer, xvj s. for ilk stane of brass, extending in the
haill to the sovme of fyw hundreth xl lib. money of Scotland. Quhairfor
the haill town consentit and assentit to deliuer the said siluer wark, keippis,
bres, and ornamentis, continit in the invitour forsaid, to the said Patrik
of the proces forsaid ; and ordanis the money thairof to be deliuerit to the
thesaurar to be applyit for the commond weill and necessar adois of this
guid toun, as the haill communite sail think expedient.
The said day, Gilbert Menzes and Gilbert Collysone disscntit to the
said roiping, selling, and disposicioun, for thame selffis and their adherans,
lyk as thai haue discentit and protestit in sic caicis ewer obefoir, as thai al-
leigit, and tuk act of court tharwpoun.
Vdth January, 1561.
The said day, Thomas Menzeis, prowest, exponit in jugement how lie
and the baillies, in name of the toune, hcs coft twa Frenche scliipi)is of
wyne, and can nocht gett the same ressauit be the merchandis nyciitbouris
330 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
6th January, of the towDG for the owtred of the strangearis, to the gryt hurt and
^*^- sclander of this toune, and requirit all the nychtbouris present to accept
and resaue the said wyne, ilkane ane pairt thairof, effering to his substance ;
and protestit, gif thai wald nocht, that it suld be lesum to the saidis pro-
west and baillie to dispone the wairis and merchandrices of quhatsumeuer
schip coft be thame eftirward to the resawaris and payaris of the said
wyne, and thai to be first seruit thairof befoir ony personis that refuissis
to resaue ane pairt of the said wyne.
9tk February i 1561.
The said day, the counsell modifeit the expenssis of Thomas Menzeis,
prowest, and Dauid Mar, bailzie, in ryding to Edinburght to labour and
solist at the quenis hand and the lordis of secreit counsell, anent the freiris,
croftis, and places, to the sovme of thre scoir poundis : that is to say, fourtie
pound to the prowest and twentie pound to Dauid Mar ; and ordanis the
thesauraris to ansuer thame thairof, quhilk sail be allowit to thame in thair
nixt comptis.
23rf February, 1561.
The said day, Patre Menzeis, thesaurar for this instant yeir, in name of
the toune, resauit fra Thomas Menzies, prowest, the obligatioun maid be
Maister Patre Rutherfurd, Alexr. Knowis, Johnne Lowsoun, and Gilbert
Malysoun, anent the receawing be thame in keiping of the gryt ewcharist,
challicis, and siluer wark, keipis, and ornamentis of thair parroche kirk of
Abirdene, lykas in the said obligatioun, of the dait the xv day of Januar,
the yer of God m. v** fyftie and nyne yeiris, quhilk wes deliuerit be the
ordinans of the consell, and thai dischargit the said prowest thairof.
\&th March, 1561.
The baillies decernit Schir William Walcar to deliuer Patre Menzes,
as thesaurar in name of the haill toun of Abirden, the geir and guidis
vnder wrytin : that is to say, ane croce of siluer ; the forclayth of the hie
altar ; four coddis of welout, tua blak and tua reid ; ane arress bed ; ane
siluer spune ; the mort stand : and siclyk ordanit Gilbert Collysone to
deliuer the said Patre the beriall within xxiiij houris.
The baillies ordanis Hector DoUoquhy, quha wes convictit obefoir for
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 331
the striking and bluid drawing of Elspett Irving, to cum vpoun Sonday 23d February,
nixt curais to Sanct Nicolace kirk, and ther, in presens of God and his ^^^^•
holy congregatioun, ask the said Elspet forgifnes, and to revoik the in-
jurious wordis said be him as fals and vntrew, and to sett cautioun, that
gif ewer he beis fundyn in sic oflPens in tym cuming, to be baneist furth
of this guid toune.
I8th March, 1561.
The said day, Johnn Lowsoun, bailze, in name and behalf of him self,
Mr. Patre Rutherfurd, Alexr. Knowis, and Gilbert Malysone, keiparis of
the siluer wark, keipis, and ornamentis of the paroche kirk of Abirdene,
continit in thair obligatioun maid thairvpoun, of the dait the xv day of
Januar, the yeir of God m" v** fyfty nyne yeiris, deliuerit the said siluer
wark, extending to sexteine scoir of vnce and ane quarter of vnce of clene
siluer, togidder with the keipis and ornamentis foirsaid, at command of the
counsell, to Patrik Menzeis, thesaurar'of the said toun, quha had coft the
same be oppin ropping in jugement abefoir, as the act maid thairwpone
proportis, and wes dischargit thairof, and resauit the forsaid obligatioun
agan befoir thir witness : Gilbert Malysone, Johnne TuUidef, Mr. Thomas
Fynny, Mr Edward Menzes, William Robertsoun, and Patre Malyson,
goldsmythis, and Maister Johnne Kennedy, notar publict, with wther
diuerse.
\8th April, 1561.
The said day, the haill towne, being convenit for the raaist pairt be
sound of the hand bell, ordanit Dauid Mar, thesaurar of this guid towne
to reseawe and vptak the maillis, fermis, proffittis, and dewiteis of the freiris
croftis, to be applyit to the townis vtilite and proffitt, aye and quhill he be
dischargit ; and Gilbert Menzeis and Gilbert Collisoune disassentit thairto,
lykas thai haue done in all sic actionis concerning the intromissioun of geir
belanging to the kirk, and protestit that thai be dischargit therof.
The said day, Johnne Dunce, skipper of the schipe callit the John,
quhilk brek in Ingland, presentit ane bill of complaint and petitioun in
jugement contrar Patre Menzeis, John Lowson, and Androw Buk, awnaris
of the forsaid schipe, of the quhilk the tennour followis : My lord prouest
and baillies of this noble burght of Abirdene, vnto your M[ ], humelie
332 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
18th April, menis and complenis, I, John Dunce, indwellar of this noble burght of
1561. Abirdene forsaid, vpoun Andrew Buk, Patrik Menzeis, and Johnne
Lowsoun, burgessis of the sarayne, and awnaris of ane schip callit the
John, that quhair in the moneth of September last wes or thairby, I beand
skipper of the schipe, for the time in the port and hawin of Danskin, for
the Weill of the said schipe, saiffity of the raerchandis and marineris of the
samyn schipe, beand stowit onder bayth eftir and befoir, with merchandyce,
hawand hot ane ouerloft, and na [ ] onder, for saiffity of the saidis
merchandis and marineris fra the cald the lang wyntir nicht, I biggit on
the said schipe ane fordyk for saiffity, as said is, the quhilk was necessar,
and the expenssis and tymmer thairof (by my awin labouris and biging
therof my selfF, the quhilk tyme the tymmer men thairof wes deidlie seik),
extendit and was wortht four poundis Scottis or thairby, to the quhilk
bigging and mending of tymmer wark of the samyn, I wes nocht conducit
and hyrit. Quhairfor desyris your M[ ] to considder gif the awnaris
thairof aucht and suld pay me the said sowme for the biging of the said
fordyk, and gif sic necessar expenssis, maid in tyme of neid be the skipar,
aucht and suld be payit again be the awnaris, and to content me for my
lawbouris done thairin ; the quhilk thay wranguslie and aganis the law,
postponis and differis to mak me paiment thairof, without thai be compellit
be justice to the samyn. Beseikand you heirfore to decerne and compel,
be justice, the saidis awnaris to refound and content to me the foirsaid
sowme, in so far as thai will grant, or I may sufficiently preif, for the caussis
and ressonis forsaid, togidder with ony expenssis of court ; and is content
that this my petitioun pas to the knawlege of ane assise. Quhilk actioune
and clame, with consent of bayth the saidis parteis, and their procuratouris,
wes admittit to the decisioun and knawlege of the assyse aboun wrytin,
chosin, suorne, and admittit in jugement, quhilkis acceppit the matter on
thame, and out of court remowit and ryply awysit with the depositionis
of the witnes producit for the pairt of the said Johne Dunce, and
with the obligationis and ressonis of bayth the saidis parteis enterit in
court, fand and deliuerit for the maist pairt, and pronuncit be the mouth
of Alexander Knowis, chancellor of the said assise, that the expenssis
maid be the said John Dunce, skipper forsaid, vpoun the making of the
said fordyk, wes necessar and expedient to haue bene done, and thairfor
ordanis the saidis Patre Menzes, Johnne Lowsoun, and Andrew Buk, to
refound to him the same. Quhilk deliuerans the prowest and baillies ac-
OF THE BUEGH OF ABEKDEEN. 333
ceppit and interponit thair authorite thairto, and ordanis the same to be isth April,
execut. 1561.
3d May, 1561.
The said day, compeirit in jugement Thomas Christall, burges of Abir-
den, and exponit to the baillies quhow that he wes informit that Joachin
Racho, steirsman of ane schipe of Trailsound, the skipper callit Henrik
Bodiger, now beand in Abirdene, presentUe had maid narratioun vpoun
the said Thomas to the king of Denmarkis captanis, and vtheris his grace
officiaris, that he had spulzeit and takyn furtht of ane schipe of Rosto, in
ane sound of Norway callit Skau Sound being for the tyme, vpoun the
space of alewin yeir bygane, the said Henrik beand skipper of the said
Rosto schipe for the tym, and Claus Normond, boittis man of his schipe
for that sarayne tyme, xv dayis befoir Witsonday, the sowme of thre
hundreth dolouris, or thairby, in victuallis and merchandryce ; quhilkis alle-
gations and narratioun the said Thomas Chrystall exponit quhow that
thairefter he had incurrit gryt skayth, trublis, and inconvenient throw the
said allegations, and als had fundyn cautioun to ansuer to all vtheris quha
had allegit ony wrang done to thame be the said Thomas in tyme of weir,
desyring the baillies in jugement to accuse and inquyir the said Joachin
Racho gif the said narratioun maid vpoun the said Thomas wes trew con-
cerning his awin pairt. Quhilkis accusatioun and allegens being exponit
in jugement to the said Joachin be Robert Jak, dwelland in Trailsound,
and interpreter of the said Joachim's language for the tyme, declarit and
maid oppin confessioun in jugement that he newir knew the said Thomas
nor saw him befoir, and wes newir skaythit be the said Thomas in ony gudis
and geir, the valour of ane dens quytt, hot that he had confessit that the
samyn tym thair wes takin furth of his said schipe hot thre barrell of heir
and tua barrell of flesche, hot nocht be the said Thomas. Vpoun the
quhilkis depositioun and confessioun, the baillies inquirit the said Joachin,
be the moutht of the said Robert Jak, interpretour forsaid, gif he wald
mak faytht gif his depositioun and confessioun wes trew, that he had schawin
and confessit in jugement to the baillies, and knew na thing to the said
Thomas bot all guid ; and als the baillies forsaid inquyrit of the said
Joachim gif he confessit the same for feir, or gif he wes compellit be ony
vtheris to confess the same ; quha maid fayth in jugement, in lykwayis, that
he wes newir tracht nor compellit thairto, bot maid the same confessioun
2 u
334 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
3d May. for the zeill of justice. Vpoun the quhilkis confessioun of the premisses
^^^' the said Thomas desyrit testimonial! of the prowest and baillies, quha de-
cernit him the same vnder thair secreit seall, and this wes done in presens
of Henrik Bodiger, skipper ; Clause Medro, his clerk ; Hanse Wolf,
skipper of ane schipe of Grippis Wald ; James Gowan, in Trailsound ;
Johnne Ancroft, William Ancroft his brother, in Grippis Wald ; and
Robert Jak, in Trailsound ; with vther diuerse.
lOth October, 1561.
The sayd day, anent the bill of desyir exhibit to the counsell be Robert
Johnstoune, for makking of ane skaymlis of tre at the fysche cors, for
laying of the quhyt fysche tharupoune, and balding of the calsay clene con-
tigue thairabout, for ane small duety paying to him of euery fische creill
and hors laid of fysche in the xxiiij houris, the counsall, all in ane voce,
grantit to the said bill, and ordanis the said skaymlis to be maid honestly as
efferis be the said Robert, vpoune his expenssis, for the quhilkis he to haf
ane penny of euery creilfuU of fysche, and tuo pennis of euere hors laid of
fysche that cumis to the mercat to be said euery xxiiij houris, and that na
quhyt fysche be said hot vpoun the said skaymlis, paying thairfor the said
duety ; and the said Robert paying thairfor yeirly to the toune and the-
saurar thairof the sowme of fourty schillingis vsuall money of Scotland, the
first terme of payment to be at the fest of Wytsonday nixt to cum, and
wphaldand the said skaymles vpoune his expenssis ; and ordanis ane asse-
datioune to be maid to him thairupoun, for the space of fywe yeiris imme-
diatly following the dayt of thir presentis.
The said day, the prowest, bailyeis, and counsall, hawand consideratioun
of the murmour and complaint of the nychtbouris and merchandis of this
burght, anent the hying of schippis arrywing to this port, and indiscreit
distributioune to the nychtbouris of the wairis and merchandrises thairof,
for the cummodite of certane particular personis, aganis the commoune
Weill of the toune, it is dewysit, statut, and ordanit be the saidis prowest,
baillies and counsell, with consent of the haill merchandis and brethir of
gild, apprewing and affirming the same in jugement, convenit in thir gild
court, that quhatsumewir schip of gudis sellabill arrywis to the port,
hevin, or reyd of this burght, chargit with quhatsumeuer merchandrises,
the antra thairof salbe gewin to the townis customer, quha sail present the
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 335
same to the prowest and baillies, and thai, or ony ane of thame, to by the loth October,
samyn fra the strangearis, and the samin being bocht to be distributed in ^®^i-
maner following : that is to say, the haill brethir of gild, merchandis of the
toune, vsand trafique of merchandrise, to be dewydit in four quarteris, and
euerie quarter to haf ane schippis laydning thair tyrae about, of quhatsum-
sumeuer wares and merchandrises, without the respect to quantitie or gud-
nes, bot ilk quarter to haf the schip that chances to thame, and cavillis to
be castin quhat quarter sail begyn and quha sell fallow ; and the bailze of
the quarter that fallis to him be cavill to mak distributioune, be considera-
tioune and discretioun of him self and two or thre with him of the counsell
that beis in his quarter, for eschewing of murmour ; and na mercheand nor
burges to be obeyit of any pairt of the saidis merchandrises, bot thai that
duellis and remanis actually within this burght. And quhat quarter re-
fusis the schip bocht be the baillies, or quhat merchand refuissis to resaitf
his pairt calculat to him be the bailze, of ony schippes warres quhatsumeuer
that chancis to cum, and to pay therfor as is bocht, the refusar to haf na
pairt of ony merchandryce that chances to cum for the space of ane yeir
thaireffcir. And gif ony persoun passis to the rayd or hewyn to cheup or
mak bergane, or quyat pactioun, with the strenger, he to pay tene poundis
for ane vnlaw, and the guiddis that he byis to be eschaittit, and he to haf
na pairt therof nor of na wther for a yeir thereftir. And this present
ordinans sail remaine and continew in effect for ane yeir eftir the dait of
thir presentis, and, gif it persistis and continewis langar, the quarter that
restis unseruit begin the nixt yeir, keipand the same ordour of this yeir.
llth October, 1561.
The said day, it is statut and ordanit be the prouest, baillies, and coun-
sell, that in tyme cuming, induring the space of ane yeir, that the malt and
meill cuming to the toune to be sauld sail be sett, sauld, mett, and mesourit
in the gray freiris place, and nocht put in na wther houssis, nor na skaiffry,
sic as sampill and scheit schakin, to be tane thairof in tym cuming, and the
samyn to be mesourit with ane straik mett corresponden to the hep mesour, to
be maid be the awyis of the baronnis and gentill men of the contra that hes
victuall to sell ; and siclyk ane ressonabill metsor to be maid to be takin for
the handfull takin be the belman, sua that na cans of complent ma be al-
leiffit eftirwart of extorsioun done to wictuall sellaris, and alsua for the
eschewing of dartht of victuallis and wther inconvenientis considerit be the
336 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
saidis consell appeiring to be ; and ordinis the officiaris and ane of the
baillies at the lest to be present ewerie raercat day, to se that ordour and
guid distributioun be maid to serf the nychtbouris of the toun. And
ordinis the thesaurar and his coUectouris in his name to tak ane hard
heid of ewery laid of wictuall, and to charge himself thairwith in his
comptis, and that for eysing of the saidis wictuall sellaris, and relewing of
thame of the auld skaifrye ten obefor and panis tene in mentenyng of the
said ordour.
I3th October, 1561.
The said day, the baillies decernit and decreittit that Alexr. Forbes, sone
and air to vmquhill Patrik Porbes, burges of Abirdene, hes sufficientlie
prowin and werifeit that the said wmquhill Patrik had thir geir and gudis
onder vrytin in his possessioun the tyme of his deceise, or at the leist the
yeir of his deceis, pertening to him as his awin proper gudis, and aucht
and suld pertene to the said Alexr. as air to his said wmquhill father : that
is to say, ane targat of gold, ane vop of gold, ane siluer spune, ane horse,
ane caldrone, ane mekile pot, ane Utile pott, ane mekle pan, ane lytile pan,
ane charger of tun, ane plait of tun, ane dische of tun, ane sasar of tun, ane
mekyle spitt, ane lytile spitt, ane pair of vax, ane roist irne, ane taingis, ane
ewil cruik, ane pair of pot bulls, ane pair of peper curnis, ane girdile ; ane
furneist bed, with scheittis, blankattis, bowster, fedder bed and coddes,
covering, curteingis, and beid scheittis ; ane furneist buird, couerit with
neipry, with seruettis, and transchouris eifeiring thairto ; ane gardnett of
tun, ane cunter, ane kist, ane coffer, ane press, ane almary, ane vairsta, ane
main fatt, ane malt fatt, ane flesche fatt, ane fische fatt, ane knappiskua, ane
govne of Frensche blak ; ane blak bonnet, lynit with weluott ; ane pair of
hoise of blak Flemming, streikin owt, with blak tefetie ; ane belt, ane purse,
ane sark, ane nycht curche, ane basin of brace ; ane cort stop, ane poynt
stoip, ane chopin stoip, all three of tun ; ane wesching twell, twa chandelaris
of brass, ane salt fatt ; with the qubilkis Besse Lowsoun, spous to the said
wmquhile Patrik, and now spous to Patrik Menzeis, intromettit thairwith,
quhawfor the baillies decernis and ordanis the said Besse Lowsoun and the
said Patre Menzes, for his interes, to content, deliuer, and pay to the said
Alexr. the said airship geir and gudis, as air to his said vmquhill father, or
the just valour and pryce thairof, within terme of law, and condamnis the
said Besse and Patrik in the expenssis of pley to be taxit eftervard.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 337
22c? October, 1561. 22d October,
The said day, Johnne Myln, cordonar, wes convickit in jugement be the ^^^^•
haill assise afoir wrytin for the casting of fyir in his awin bed, and for ane
vnlauchtfull nychtbour, and ane commound ressayttur, quhairfor he wes in
amerciament of court to forbeir in tyme cuming, and amend as law will, and
that wes gewin for dome.
21 th October, 1561.
The said day, the prowest, baillies, and counsell, decernit and ordanit
Alexr. Cullane, thair nychtbour and comburges, to haue the keiping of the
half of thair commound seall, quhilk Andrew Cullan, his grandsir, and
V/alter Cullan, his guidsyr, had in keiping obefoir, to be observit and keipit
be him in tyme cumyng, and vsit as the counsell and communite thinkis ex-
pedient, and nocht to be takin fra him without ane notable fait be committit
be him in keiping therof, and the same be knawin to the haill toune, con-
forme to the last act maid be the counsell at the deliuering of the said half
seall to his said guidsyr, of the dayt the aucht day of October, the yeir of
God ane thowsand fywe hundreyth fourty and sax yeiris ; and that in re-
spect that it is considderit and knawin be the consell that the said Alexr. is
potent and strenzeabill in fyschingis, landis, and guidis to ansuir for the
same, and qualifeit to succeyd in ofFyce, cuyr, and dignytie in the place and
rowme of his saidis grandsir and gudsyr ; and decernit this act and ordi-
nans to be intimat to the haile communite of this burght on Fredday nixt
cumis, or in the nixt court quhen thai ar convenit for thair approbatioun
therof ; vpoun the quhilkis the said Alexr. askit act and instrumentis in
presens of the haill consell.
The said day, the prowest, baillies, and consell ordanis Johnne Mylne,
quha wes convickit obefoir for ane onlauchfuU nychtbour, and for putting
of fyir in his duelling hous in the Neddirkirkgett, to remowe furtht of the
same, with his geir and gudis, within xxiiij houris, and to remowe furtht of
the same quhill the consell prowyd vther remeid for the said offens.
IQth November, 15G1.
The said day, the prowest and baillies hawand consideratioun that all the
stretis and gettis within this burght suld be keipit clene, without myddingis
338 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER]
10th Nov., or ony sic fylthines, at all tymes, thairfore commandis and ordanis the four
^^^- officiaris to tak ane poynd wortht aucht schillingis, of ilk persoun within this
toun quha beis fundyn gadderand myddingis on the gett, or leis mwk, yird,
aise, or ony sic filthines, in ony pairt of the quenis gett, in ony tymes cura-
ing, and to be poyndit alse oft as thai be foundyn doyng the samyn. And
the saidis prowest and baillies, for certane ressonabile causis mowing thame,
gifis and grantis all the said wnlawis and poyndis to the saidis four officiaris
to thair vtilite and proffytt, prowyding alwayis that gif in ony tymes cuming
myddingis, mwk, yeird, aise, or ony sic fylthines beis fundyn vpon ony pairt
of the quenis gett, in that cace the saidis officiaris to be poyndit for the
samyn, be warding of thair personis in the tolbuytht als oft as salbe thocht
expedient be the saidis prowest and baillies ; and ordanis the hand bell to
pass this day throcht all the streittis of the said toun, to mak aduerteisment
heirof to all the inhabitantis of the samyn.
1 4th November, 1561.
The baillies ordanis Robert Jak, tailzeour, alias Cleythaneucht, quha wes
convickit be ane swovne assise as ane briggan and ane commound nycht-
vakar, and for rubbing and spulzeing of certane personis, vnder sylens of
the nycht, to be baneist of this guid toune for his demeritis and crymes for-
said ; and Gilbert Menzeis elder, and Johnn Fraser, laxfischer, become
cautioneris and souerteis that the said Robert sail nocht be found within
this toun in tyme cuming, onder the pane of four hundreyth merkis.
18 th November, 1561.
The said day, George Gardyn of Banquhorie, astrikand him to the iuris-
dictioun of Abirdene in this cace, become cautionar and souertie to the
prowest and baillies of the said burght, in name of the haill toun, for Peter
Howatt, quha wes found be the saidis prowest, baillies, and consell as a
saillar in brigade, and that the said Petir in all tymes cuming sail abstene
fra all maner of sic cryme, and speciallie within this burght of Abirdene,
sail nocht be found committand the said cryme, or ony wther cryme crimi-
nall, vnder the pane of ane hundreytht merkis vsuall money of Scotland, to
be takin and luftit vp of the said George Gardyne as propir dett to the
said town and thair communite ; for the quhilkis the said George Gardyne
is obleist be the tenour heirof; and inlykwyis Nicol Gardinar, Alexr.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 339
Downy elder, Thomas Diksoun, Johnne Donald, Alexr. Smyth, and I8th Nov.
Michell Howat obleist thame and ilkane of thame for thair awin pairt, con- ^^^■
unctlie and seueralie, to releif the said George of all the premisses.
8th December, 1561.
The said day, Mariory Rattrey, dochter to wmquhill Johnne Rattrey,
being sworne, grantit and approwit that George Scott in Auchery, within
the paroche of Crowdan, maid newer na appunctment nor contrak with
hir, nor scho with him, of mereage, nor yit ony promise thairanent, and
thairfoir renuncit, dischargit, and quietclamit him for ewer, and obleist
hir, be the fayth and trewth of her body, that scho sell newer call, persew,
nor molest the said George in tyme cuming for mereage, nor na wther
promeise, nor yit mak to him ony impediment, bot suffer him to marry,
without lat or stop, quhome ewer he pleissis, for the quhilk James Symsone
is become cautionar and souertie ; and ather of the saidis partiis dischargit
wtheris of all dettis and intromissionis that hes bene betuix thame in tyme
bigane, to the day and dait of thir presentis, except the sowme of fourty
merkis awand be the said George to the said Mariorie, therof the said Ma-
riorie hes resauit twenty merkis presentlie at the making of thir presentis,
and obleist him to pay hir the wther twentie merkis restand at the feist
of Witsonday nixt to cum, or within twentie dayis thaireftir, for payment
of the quhilk Johne Nicolsoun is become cautionar, souertie, and dettour,
to be payit at the terme forsaid ; and the said George obleist him to releif
the said Johnne Nicolsoun thairof at the terme forsaid, befoir thir witnes,
Johnne Parke elder, William Hay of Auchery, William Broun in Blak-
house, Johnne Pattoun in the Merniss, and Maister Johnne Kennedy,
notar publict, with wther diuerse.
I2th January, 1562.
The said day, Thomas Menzeis exponit to the consell that he is suirlie
informit that the quenis grace is to cum to the north partis to vesy the
same, betuix this and Peace nixt to cum, or thairby, and that it is nocht
onknawin to thame of her grace honorabill resauing at her first entry, and
prencely propynis giffin to hir grace, in Edinburght and Dunde, and vther
townis that hir grace hes veseit, and inquirit thame quhat thai thocht expe-
dient to be done thairanent. Quha all in ane voce dewisit and ordanit the
sowme of twa thousand merkis to be vpliftit for the preparatioun and decor-
340 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
12th January, ation of the toun, and to be propynit to hir grace, as vise hes bene in tyraes
1562. bypast to be done to kingis and princes of this realrae at thair first entre,
with consultation to be had quhair the said sovme may be best easalie col-
lekit and gottyn.
20th January^ 1562.
The said day, in presens of the haill communite of this guid toun, being
vamit, &c., Thomas Menzeis, prowest, exponit opinlie in jugement, how
that thair nychtbour and guid friend, Maister Duncan Forbes, had pur-
chest at the handis of our souerane lady the quenis grace, ane letter of
factorie, to intromet with the mailis, ferraes, and dewtice, of all and sindrie
the croftis, riggis, and ruidis pertening sumtyme to the freiris predi-
catouris, and carmelites of the said burght, of certane termes and yeiris
bygane, and siclyk yeirlie and termelie in tyme cuming, ay and quhill ane
generall ordour be maid thairanent, ; and hes purchest, and causit proclarae
our souerane ladyis letteris vpoun all the tennentis, possessouris, and oc-
cupearis of the saidis croftis, to answer and obey the said Maister Duncane
of the said mailis, ferrais, and duetyce, onder the pane of rebellioun and
putting of thame to the home. And alsua, as is allegit, the said Maister
Duncane hes purchest and obtinit ane heretabill tytill and gift of propertie
of the saidis croftis, with the freiris places and yardis thairof, and that in
recompensatioun of the seruice done to our souerane lady and hir grace
mother, queue drurear and regent of this realme, and requirit the counsell
and haill communite quhat thai thocht expedient to be done thairanent, in
presens of the said Mr. Duncane Forbes, quha effermit the declaratioun
forsaid maid be the prowest and baillies, and that he had acceppit the
saidis croftis be gift of our soverane lady, in recompensatioun of his fee
and service bipast, in respect that thair wes diuerse particular personis, as
he alleigit, laborand diligently for the recouering therof to thame selffis, for
thair awin singular veill. Nochtwithstanding, gif the communite of this
guid toun dois purches and recower be ony way the saidis croftis and places
at the handis of our soverane lady, for nocht or for ocht, to be applyit for
the commound weill of the haill toun, in that cace he is contentit to demit
his rycht, titill, and interes of the saidis croftis and places, and sell nocht
labour in thair contrar in obtening thairof, thai obtenand and purchesand
the samyn betuix this and the feist of Pace nict to cum, and wes contentit
and obleist him that na executioun of his saidis letteris of horning suld be
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 341
maid nor vsit in the meyntyme quhill the said feist of Pace, and protestit 20th January,
gif the communite labouris nocht the same to be dun in maner forsaid ^^^*
betuix this and the said terme of Pace, that it be lesum to him to stik
with his rycht and defend the same, and execut his saidis letteris with-
out thair gruige or indignatioun. Eftir the quhilkis declaratiouns the haill
communite that wer present, all in ane voce, consentit to send commis-
sionaris to the quenis grace, and to gif ane supplicatioun to hir grace,
delaittit with guid narratioun and trew report of the mater, for pur-
chessing of the saidis croftis and places to the communite and commound
vein of this burght, gif the same may be had at hir grace handis frelie of
hir grace guidnes and liberalitie ; and gif the same may nocht be purchest
frelie without gratitud and compositioun, to offer hir grace guid deid,
gratitud, and sic pecuniall compositioune as the saids commissionaris may
maist easaly appoynt and condescend thairanent. And to that effect obleist
thame selffis to contrabut and pay (or it saill) lergelie of their geir and
guidis, for the purchessing and obtening of the saidis croftis and places, sua
the samyn be applyit to the communite and commond veill of this burght ;
and to the effect aboun wrytin nominat and chesit Thomas Menzes and
Valter Cant commissionaris, and ordanis ane commissioun to be maid to
thame thairwpon, onder the townis commound seall, togidder with certane
articalis and informatioun to be gewin thame in vryt be the consell thair-
anent, and thai to ryd vpoun the townis expenssis, to be modifeit be the
consell.
Gth April, 1562
The said day, James Leshe presentit and gaif in ane supphcatioun in
jugement to the prowest, baillies, counsell, and communite, desyrand ane
pece west ground lyand within the fredome of Abirdene, vpoun the northt
syd of the fuill cassy, merchand with the Spittell, heretable in few, to big
ane barne and barneyard thairopoun, for payment of sic few maill yeirlie
as the counsell wald devyise. And it wes thocht expedient that the coun-
sell and sa mony vtheris as plesit suld pass vpoun Settirday nixt cumis to
the said pece of west ground, and vesy and consider gif the setting of the
same in few be hurtfull to the inhabitantis of this toun and fredome thairof,
other in casting of fewall or pasturing of guidis, sua that thairefter ma be
gewin ane sufficient answer to the said James desyir and supplicatioun.
And alsua the saidis visitouris to consider the day forsaid all command ven-
2 Y
342 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
6th April, nallis within the toun, and all commound gettis within and about the toun, gif
^^^- the same be onywayis stoppit, condamnit, distroyit, or dernineist aganis the
auld wse and consuetude had thairof at ony tymes bypast, in hurt of the in-
habitantis or quhatsumewer passingeris, sua that remeid may be put thairto
thaireftir be the awyise of the counsell.
The said day, comperit in jugement Thomas Nicolsoun, and producit
in presens of the haill communite of the said burght, convenit in thair heid
court, ane vryting subscrywit with the handis of the maist pairt of the
counsell of the said burgh, contening thair obligatioune and faithfuU pro-
mise maid to him, of the nixt vacand profyt, other land or wattertak, that
happinnit to fall in the townis handis, at thair dispositioun, for sic caussis
as ar specifeit and continit in the said vryting. And because the said pro-
mise and obligatioun concernit the haill communite, the said Thomas desyrit
thame of thair gudnes, and for his seruice bigane, that thai wald ratify and
approve the same, and gif their wryttis and consentis thairto, and mak him
securite thairwpone, conforrae to the contentis therof, of the quhilk the
tenour followis : We prowest, baillies, counsell, and communitie of Abir-
dene, hawand respect that the peice west ground, lyand within the fredome
of Abirdene, besyd the Keppillhill, desyrit in few be our weilbelouit nycht-
bour, Thomas Nicolsoun, ane of the baillies of our said burght, is of small
valour, and yit the setting thairof in few may be hurtfull to our nychtbouris
hawand land adiacent contigue thairto, and thairfor hes solistit the said Tho-
mas to desist fra the persuit heirof ; quherfor, and for wther ressonabill caussis
mowing ws, and speciallie because the said Thomas hes done guid seruice
baith to the toune in tymes bypast, to his gryt expenssis (vnrecompensit as
yit), and hes borne oflfice of dignitie and charge of this guid toune, and sustenit
ane honest rowrae araangis ws, thairfor we bind and obleis ws and our succes-
souris to gif the said Thomas the nixt vattertak or land tak that hapnis to
vaik, and be thir presentis giffis him our voittis and consentis thairof,
he payand thairfor yeirlie sic maill and duetie as the same presentlie payis
allanerlie, without ony compositioun or interes siluer, and sell mak him suir
securitie thairupone, according to the vse of this burght ; to the quhilk we
bind ws faithfullie, but fraud, gyll, or contradictioun to be maid in the
contrar, be this vryt, subscriuit with our handis at Abirdene, the last day
of September, the yeir of God m* v« and saxtie yeiris. Quhilk vryting
being opinlie red, in presens of the haill communitie, considerit and vnder-
OF THE BURGH OF ABEKDEEN 343
stand be tharae, thai thocht and declarit the same ressonabill, and ratifeit 6th April,
and apprewit the same in all poyntis, and grantit and gaue thair fre consent ^^^'
and faithfull promise thairto, obleissing thame and thair successoris for ob-
serving and completing thairof, and decernit ane gift and securitie to be maid
to the said Thomas thairupoune, wnder thair commond seall, and ordanis
the keiparis thairof to seall the same, vpoiin the quhilkis the said Thomas
desyrit act and instrument in presens of the haill toun.
Ath May, 1562.
The said day, John Kelo, belman, wes accusit in jugeraent for the passing
throw the rewis of the toune with the hand bell, be oppin voce, to convene
the haill communitie, or sa mony thairof as wald convene, to pass to the wood
to bring in syramer upoun the first Sonday of Maii, contravinand the actis
and statutis of the quenis grace and lordis of consell, eppeirandlie to raise
tumult and ingener discord betuix the craftismen and the fre burgessis of
gild, and the saidis craftismen to dissobey and adtempt aganis the superioris
of the toun, gif it stuid in thair power, as the saidis prowest and baillies
ar informit, the said Johnne hawing na command of the saidis prowest and
baillies to do the same ; and inlykwyise Alexr. Burnatt alias Potter wes
accusit for passing throw the toun with ane swech, to the effect and occa-
sioun aboun wryttin. Quhilkis Johnne and Alexander confessit the samyn,
allegiand thai did the samyn of na ewill mynd, hot conforme to the auld
vse, and be command of Johnne Grant, quha is ane fre burgess and brothir
of gild, and had done na wrang thairin, as thai alleigit. And the said
Johnne Grant inlykmaner beand accusit for giffing command to the saidis
Johnne and Alexander, as is aboun wrytin, and passing throw the toun
fortifeing and mentening thame as he mocht, to the effect forsaid, grantit
and apprewit the same, and denyit ony wrang done be him thairintill.
Quhilk mater wes put to the decisioun and knawledge of the assise aboun
wrytin, chosin, suorne, and admittit in jugement, quhilkis acceppit the
said mater on thame, and efter detfuU consultatioun and consideration
ryplie awisit, enterit in court, fand and deliuerit, all in ane voce, be the
moutht of Gilbert Menzeis elder, chancellor of the said assise for the tyme,
that the saidis personis had grytlie wrangit in the committing of the said
enormitie and heycht atemptat, but the awise of the prowest, baillies, and
superioris of the toun, quhairfor thai and ilkane of thame wer in amer-
ciament of court, and that wes gewin for dome, and the modificatioun of
344 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
4th May, the amendis referrit to the discretioun of the consell. Quhilkis thaireftir
^^^- beand deulie convenit, discemit and ordanit the saidis personis to compeir
vpoun Sonday nixt curais within the paroche kirk, and thair, immediatlie
aftir the preaching, in presens of the congregatioun, grant thair said ofFens,
as done throw ignorance, and vpon thair kneis ask God and the congrega-
tioun forgifnes, and obleist thameselffis thair, opinlie, that gif thai be con-
victit for sic offens in tym cuming, to tyn thair fredome, proffit, and pre-
velege of this guid toun, and to be separat and exulat fira the societie
thairof frathinfurtht ; and quha of thame dissobeys the said ordinance, to
incur the samyn pane, but fauer or request to be hard in the contrar.
8th May, 1562.
The said day, the haill toune being convenit, &c., consentit, grantit, and
ordanit that the haill money gottin for the siluer wark, brassin wark, keipis,
and ornamentis of thair paroche kirk, being in the handis of Patrik Menzes,
thesaurar to the toune presentlie, be disponit and applyit vpoun the biging
and restaurectioun of the peir and key heid of the said burght, and of the
brig of Done, and of the arteilzery and munitioune pertening to the toune,
and the said mony nor na pairt thairof to be applyit to na wther wse ; and
chesit Maister Robert Lumisdene, maister of wark to the said brig, and
Thomas Nicolsoun and Androw Buk, maisteris of wark to the said key
heid, arteilzery, and munitioun, quha acceppit the samyn ; and ordanis thir
forsaidis to be done with all diligence, and the said thesaurer to answer and
obey thame of money for performing thairof, and the samyn to be allowit to
him in his nixt comptis.
The sayd day, the haill toune being warnit, &c., grantit and consentit,
all in ane voce, nane opponanand in the contrar, to sett heritable in few
ferme, to Thomas Branche, his airis, and assignais, all and haill the sklayt-
hous, callit the kirkludge, lyand at the wast pairt of the north syd of Sanct
Nicolas kirkyard, betuix the land of Johnne Kennedy on the northt part,
the quenis commound gett on the vast part, and the said kirkyard on the
eist and southt partis, conforme to the said Thomas petitioune and suppli-
catioune gevin thairwpone ; and ordanis ane few chartour to be mayd to the
said Thomas, his airis and assignais, thairwpone, contening sic conditions
and clausis as the counsall sail think expedient, and referrit the modifica-
tioune of the yeirlie few maill to be payit thairfor to the discretioun of the
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 345
counsell, quha modifeit the same to the sowme of fyfty thre schillingis iiij d., 8th May,
to be payit at Wytsonday and Martimes, be two equall portionis as vse is, ^^^'
prowyding alwais that thair be no entre in tym cuming to the said land on
the eyst syid therof, nixt the kirkyard, bot only in the wast syd therof.
I6lh June, 1562.
The said day, George Burnatt, in presens of Dauid Mar, bailze, and
witnes wnderwrytin, compeirit and obleist himself faythfullie to accept
Mariorie Mair, his spous, in his familiar cumpany and hartlie fauour, and
intreit hir in bed and buird, luf and kyndnes, godlie and fauourable, as it
becumis ane mareit man to do to his wyf, remittand all offenssis and elestis
done be hir in tymes bygane, quhidder the same wes trew or not, and
neuer to imput the same to hir charge in tyme cuming, nor yit sell moif ane
cause of diuorce aganis hir in tymes cuming, nor yit sell moif ane cans for
na occasioun bypast, afoir the dait of thir presentis ; to the quhilk the said
George obleist himself, vnder the pane of ane thousand pound vsuall money
of Scotland, to be payit to the said Mariorie, quhilk sowme the said George
grantit him to hawe resauit fra the said Mariory, provyding alvayis that gif
it beis sufficientlie verefyit and prowin that in tyme cuming the said Mariory
keip nocht hir body clene to hir said spous, bot chances to commit the cryme
of adultery, of the quhilk he hes bene vrangouslie informit in tymes bygane,
in that cace the said George to be fre of his band and obligatioun ; and it
sail be lesum to him to moif ane cans of diuorse aganis the said Mariory,
and scho neuer to haue ony pairt of his geir nor guidis thaireftir in tym
cuming, the said crym being notorlie knawin to the honest men and consell
of this toun ; to the quhilk the said George grantit and consentit befor thir
witnes, Gilbert Menzes elder, Thomas Branche, Vm. Menzes, and Mr.
John Kennedy.
10^/i July, 1562.
The said day, the baillies decernit and decreittit that Mr. Eduard Men-
zes, cheplane of Sanct Androwis cheplanrie, within the paroche kirk of
Abirdene, fundit be vmquhile Jolmne Mar, hes prowin sufficientlie that he
is lauchtfullie infeft in ane annuell rent of ten schillingis vsuall money of
Scotland, of all and haill ane tenement of land pertening to the chaplanric
of the Thre Kingis, lyand in the Gallovget, on the west syd therof, betuix
the land of vmquhill John Crag on the northt part, and the land of Andro
346 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
10th July. Crafurd on the south part, and the quenis commond yettis on the eist and
1888. ygg|. pairtis, now pertening heretablie in few ferme to Dauid Vmfra and
Andro Hervy, and ordanis him to be payit and obeyit therof in all tym
cuming.
24th July, 1562.
The said day, Johnn Chalmer wes accusit in jugement, at the instance
of the thesaurar and dene of gild, and Dauid Mar, bailze, in name of the
haill toun, for the iniuring of diuerse nychtbouris and inhabitantis thairof
in deid, and sklandering of thame in word, and for mischawing of himself
in sic sindry wayis, sua that he is ane unlauchtfuU nychtbour, and aucht
nocht to be sufferit to pas at liberte within this burght. Quhilk the said
Johne denyit, and offerit him to vnderly the censment of ane assise, gif
he be culpabile in the premissis ; quhilk actioun wes put to the decisioun
and knawledge of the assise aboun writin, chosin, suorne, and admittit in
jugement, in presens of the said Johnn, quhilk accepit the said mater vpon
thame, and out of court remowit, and efter lang and detfull consultatioun,
ryply awisit, enterit in court, fand and deliuerit all in ane voce, be the
mowtht of Gilbert Menzes, chancellar of the said assise for the tym, that
the said Johnn Chalmer is ane insufficient and vnlauchfuU nychtbour, and
aucht nocht to be sufferit to pass at libertie in this toun, to commit sic
misordour and enormiteis as he daly committis and dois, for the quhilk the
said John wes convictit and put in amerciament of court.
\1th August, 1562.
The said day, the prouest, baillies, and counsell ordanis Patre Menzes,
thesaurar, to send Maister Dauid Borthuik, procuratour for the toun in
the cause of varandice mowit aganis thame be Wm. Forbes, to defend the
said mater, sax pound Scottis, and to the man that bairis the samyn
to him with the townes informatioun, and to pas to Striveling with vryt-
ingis of the townes to the Erll of Marr, the sovme of threttie s., quhilk
sail be allowit to him in his nixt comptis.
26^A August^ 1562.
The said day, the haill toune being conuenit for the maist pairt, repre-
sentand the haill body of the communite, it wes exponit to thame be
Maister Robert Lumisden, in name of the haill counsell, quhow that the
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 347
propyne devysit to be gevin to the quenis grace, and preparatioun of sic 26th August,
thingis as is devysit agane her first entre to this burght, will exceed in ex- ^^^^•
penssis the haill sowme devysit to that eJ9Pect, or that ma be purchesit or
had, other of the common guid restand of forhand, or of the taxacioun and
contribution of the toun alreddy stentit and vpliftit of the nychtbouris and
inhabitantis thairof, and that thair is diuerse and sindry personis sett and
stentit in the taxt roll, sum absent of the cuntrey, and otheris remaining
in landwart, quhais taxatioun can nocht be had to prepair the said de-
coratioun, in consideratioun of the schortnes of the tym, quhilkis personis
the counsell hes ordanit and decernit to haue tint thair fredome, and all
proiBt and privilege of this burght in tyme cuming. And thir premissis,
and vtheris respectis considerit be the counsell, it is thocht be thame and
knawin to inlaik the sowme of tua hundreytht merkis and mair, to furneis
and performe the said decoratioun, as is necessar to be done for the honour
of the toun ; and that the said counsell hes bene diuerse tymes convenit
and consultand togidder quhair the said sovme mycht maist easelie be had,
and hed concludit the maist easiest and convenient way for hawing thairof
wes to sett the small custumis in formaling for the space of ten yeiris, and
the four mylnis of the toun in assedatioun for the space of nyntene yeris,
and that to Thomas Menzeis of Petfoddellis, thair prowest, he furnesand
the said sowme, and deliuering the same to the townis thesaurar, with all
diligens to prepair the premissis, because the time is schort. And inquirit
oppinlie the haill communite gif tha wald condiscend and assent to the said
consultatioun and devyce of the consell, or gif thai wald fynd ane vther
mair easie and convenient way to the effect forsaid. Quhilkis being op-
pinlie and particularly, every man be himself, inquyrit heirvpon, grantit
and consentit thairto, and thocht the same expedient all in ane voce, ex-
cept thir personis following : that is to say, Maister Duncane Forbes,
Thomas RoUand, Walter Lowsoun, Johnne TuUydeflP, Androw Brechin,
and Walter Cullan, quhilkis disassentit and opponit in the contrar therof,
and the remanent of the haill communite ordanis ane commissioun to be
maid, vnder thair comraond seall, to the commissionaris chosin for this
instant yeir, to sett the said small fewis in formaling to the said Thomas
Menzes and Gilbert Menzes his sone and appeirand air, for the said space
of ten yeiris nixt and immediatlie following the dait of thir presently,
quhilk sell be thair interest thairto ; and alsua, the saidis four mylnis in
tak and assedatioun to the saidis Thomas and Gilbert for the said space
348 EXTRACTS FEOM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
26th August, of nyntene yeiris nixt and immediatly following the feist of Witsonday
^^^®^ nixt to cum, in the yeir of God m° V saxty and thre yeiris, quhilk sell
be thair interes thairto, for yeirlie payment of the sowme of threttie aucht
markis vsuall money of Scotland, for the saidis milnis, and that becaus
the said Thomas Menzes his father and predecessour had the said small
custumis and mylnis in tak and assedatioun obefor, and yit the said Thomas
is in possessioun thairof, and villinglie to do for the same as vtheris nycht-
bouris of the said burght dois, and hes done, for thair natiwe takis and
kyndlie rowmis, effering to the rait and valour thairof.
2d September, 1562.
The said day, the prowest, baillies, and counsell, being conuenit in the
conselhous within the tolbuytht, ratifeit and approvit of new the act and
ordinans maid obefoir be the counsell in fauouris of Gilbert Malysoune,
raakand him sersour and visitour to considder and try gif all salmound bar-
rellis maid be the couperis that passis furth of Abirdene and fredorae
thairof be suflSicient and of the just masour of Abirdene : that is to say,
ellevin gallownis and half galloun to be mesurit with the commoun jrne
and gage of this burght, and brynt with the markyne jrne therof, as the
statut maid thairwpon of the dait the nynt day of Februar, 1536 yeiris,
proportis, and the haill counsell wes contentit and assentit that the said
Gilbert surrogat and deputt in his place, to wse the said office, Alexander
Malysone, his sone, the said Gilbert standand, as he is presentlie obleist be
his landis and guidis, for dew administratioun of the said cuyr and office,
con forme to the said statut in all punctis ; vpon the quhilk the said Gilbert
tuik act and instrument.
18^A September, 1562.
The said day, the haill counsell, being convenit, hawand consideratioun
that Thomas Menzeis, prowest, hes debursit and deliwerit to the townis
thesaurar the sowme of fourtie poundis vsuall money of Scotland for the
girsum of the townis mylnis, set to him in assedatioune for the space of
nynteine yeiris, for payment of the auld maill, and forther hes debursit the
sowme of fourtie markis Scottis money, makand in the haill the sowme of
tua hundreyth markis for the weill of the toune, to be applyit for the deco-
ratioun thairof at our soverane ladyis first entres thairto, and hes na ganis
nor profit for the said sowme of fourtie merkis, quhairfor thai discharge him
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 849
of the raalis of the said mylnis, extending to the sowrae of threttie aucht I'sth Sept.,
markis, for the space of ane yeir nixt following his entre to the saidis ^^^•
mylnis, continit in his assedatioun forsaid, and ordanis the said thesaurar to
gif him ane suflBcient acquittans thairvpon, and to deliuer him instantlie
tuentie sax s. viij d., in compleit payment of the foirsaid soume of xl markis.
The said day, the prowest, haillies, and counsell, with consent and assent
of the haill communitie, decernit that all personis that ar fremen and bur-
gessis of this burght, and remanis nocht actuallie within the same, nor yit
scottis, lottis, walkis, and wardis, nor payis nocht thair taxatiounis as the
remanent burgessis and nychtbouris of the toun dois, quhais names efter
foUowis, to haue tynt thair fredome, becaus thair hes bene diuerse statutis
and ordinances maid vpoun thame obefoir to hawe cum and remanit within
the said burght, and maid actuall residens thairintill, scottit, lottit, walkit,
and wardit, and payit thair contributionis and taxationis as said is, at ane
certane terme, of lang tym bygane, and diuerse publict proclamationis being
made thairopoun, and thay contempnandly heis disobeyit, and wald be na
way obey the saidis ordinancis, and speciallie hes nocht contrabutit with the
toun in paying of thair partis of the stent and taxatioun laitlie wptakin to
be gevin and disponit to the quenis grace in propyne, and decoratioun of
the toun at hir grace first entre thairto ; and ordanis William Barclay,
officiar, to pas the morne, quhilk is the mercat day of this burght, to the
mercat croce thairof, and thair be oppin proclamatioun mak oppin denuncia-
tioun of the said decreit, and denunce the saidis personis quhais names eftir
followis, to haue tint thair fredome in manor forsaid, quhilk the said officiar
did in presens of the prowest and haillies forsaid. Heir efter followis the
names of the personis that wes denuncit to have tint thair fredome : that is
to say, George Gardyne of Banquharie, James Pantoun of Tullyraad,
Alexr. Hog, Wm. Farquharson, Dauid Chalmer of Bawithan, Wm.
Keytht, Alexr. Thomsoun, Wm. Johnstoun in Keayis Mylne, Nicol Gar-
dinar, James Straquhin, Wm. Duncan, Alexr. Blinschell, and George
Spens.
The said day, the prowest and baillies decernit and decreittit that it is
sufficientlie prowin befoir thame that Christan Fynny and Allan Blair, hir
spous, for his interes, Besse Blair and Robert Knowis, hir spous, for his
interes, hes sufficientlie verifyit and prowin that vpoun the tuelt day of Junij
2 z
360 EXTKACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
18th s«pt., last bipast or thairby, vmquhile Claris Mony Peny, spous of Alexr. Ro-
1*®^- bertsoun, cordonar, befoir hir decease, left in legacie to the saidis Cristan
and Besse the cleything and abilzement of hir body, togidder with the haill
geir, gudis, sowmes of money, and dettis pertening or that mycht perten to
hir the tym of hir decess, be ressoun that scho wes his lauchfull spous, and
na barnis lauchfullie gottyn betuix tharae beand lewand, and that the said
Alexander and vmquhill Claris, his spous forsaid, the tym of hir decese had
thir guidis, geir, and sowmes of mony vnderwrytin pertening to thame as
thair awin propir geir and guidis movable, besyd the airschipe : that is to
say, sax dakir of barkit hydis in the pottis, pryce of the dakkir auchten
crovnnis; item, tua dakkir and ane half dakkir of roche ledder in the lyme,
price of the dakkir saxtene crownis ; item, in the biytht, of brokin ledder,
wortht twentie s. ; item, in the loft, ane chalder and ane half of bark, pryce
of ilk boll tuelf s. ; item, ane stand, xxx d. ; tua pannis, sax s. : thre pottis,
threttene s. four d. ; thre plaittis, sax s. viij d. ; tua chandelaris, sax s. ;
tua dischis, thre s. ; ane Scottis couering, aucht s. ; tua pair of auld lynning
scheittis, tene s. ; tua pair of hardyn scheittis, ten s. ; ane pece blak claytht
of fywe elnis, pryce of the elne twentie s.; item, sewin ellis of quhyt carsay,
pryce of the elne xx d. ; nyne elnis of lynning claytht, price of the elne tua
8. ; item, of mony threttene ane poundis ; of the quhilkis haill geyr and
guidis and mony aboun wrytin (the dettis awand be the said Alexr. the
tym of his said wyffis decess being takin off) the iust half pertenis and suld
pertene to the said Cristane Fynny, Allan Blair, hir spous, for his interes,
and Besse Blair and Robert Knowis, hir said spous, for his interes, be res-
son the samin becumis to the deidis part as the half house, quha befoir hir
deces maid lauchfull dispositioun and legacie of hir rycht thairof to the
saidis Cristane and Besse in maner aboun wrytin, quhairfor the baillies de-
cernit and ordanit the said Alexander Robertsone to deliuer to the saidis
Cristane and Besse, and thair saidis spowssis, for thair interes, the halff of
the haill geir and gudis aboun wrytin, or the valour and pryces thairof
aboun exprimit, togider with the half of the mony aboun wrytin, within
terme of law, the dettis alwayis awand be the said Alexander the tyme of
his said wyfis decess being tane of the haill hous, sa far as he may iustlie
preif, within the said terme wes awand ; and als ordanis the said Alexander
to deliuer thame the abilzement of his wyfis body within the said terme, sa
far as thai ma sufficientlie preiff, and condamnis the said Alexr. in the ex-
penssis of pley to be taxit efterwart.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 361
17 tk October, 1562. 17th October,
The said day, the counsell ordanis the thesaurar to mak zettis of tre ^^^•
vpoun the tua eist portis, and als to mak bomis at the west end of the
castelget, and wther places of the town neidfull ; and quhat expenssis he
makis vpon the same to be allowit to him in his nixt compt.
I9tk October, 1562.
The said day, it wes considerit be the haill counsell that the commound
guid of this burght, bayth propirtie and accidens, is of small iraportans, and
litill in respect of the gryt advis necessar, quhairvpoune the samyn aucht
to be applyit for the commound weill of this burght, and that thair ministir
hes gottyn yeirlie the sovm of thre hundreyth markis of thair said commoun
guid thir diuerse yeiris immediatlie bygane, to the gryt hurt of this burght,
quhome the toun ma nocht gudlie sustene in sic sort vpoun thair small
rentis, and quhome the bischope of Abirdene aucht to sustene vpoun his
expenssis, be ressoun that he ressauis of thame his stipendteyndis and
duetie thairfor ; and thairfor thai, all in ane voce, inhibit thair thesaurar
and den of gild to ansuer the said minister of the said yeirlie pensioun fra-
thinfurth, and thocht expedient that he be nocht ansuerit nor payit thairfor
in tyme cuming, for the caussis aboun wry tin.
The said day, the haill counsell being convenit within the gray freiris,
ordanit that Johnne Cowper sell hawe fywe s. for ewerie nycht that he hes
wachit bygane in the townis service, and siclyke to hawe fywe s. ilk nycht
in tyme cuming, sa lang as the townis watching induris, he thairfor con-
venand the wachemen be the sound of his swass throw the towne efter
supper, and siclyk to pley thairwpone at the depairting of the wache in the
morning, conforme to the ordinans of the counsell, and ordanis the the-
saurar to ansuer and obey him thairof, quhilk sell be allowit in his nixt
comptis.
The said day, the counsell ordanit that Thomas Nicolsoun sell be re-
compensit and payit of the skayth sustenit be him in braking of certane
chalmeris of his arteilzerie, quhilkis the toun borrowit fra him, and wes vsit
and schot with pulder in volie at the quenis first entre to this burght ; and
ordanis Androw Buk and Alexr. Rattre to considder the said skaytht, and
gif ane declaratioun thairof to the counsell.
352 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
19th October, The said day, anent the supplicatioun exhibeit to the prowest, baillies,
^^^' and counsell be William Crafurd, officiar of this burght the yeir immedi-
atlie bypast, and is remowit thairfra without occasioun or saill doyn be him,
desyring support of the honest men of the toun to help him to ane craym,
that he may trawell to win his lifing in the cuntray, lyk as in the supplica-
tioun at mair lyntht is continit ; and the counsell ordinit Johune Tullydef,
or sum wther honest man, to pass to the houssis of maist honest men and
desyr the said support.
25th October, 1562.
The said day, Loke Traill, duelland in Petfoddellis, grantit and con-
fessit him awand to Alexr. Robertson and Johnn Robertsoun, his brother,
the soume of aucht pound xiij s. iiij d. vsuall money of Scotland, quhilk he
obleist him to pay to the saidis personis at thair termes eftir following, that
is to say, the ane iust half thairof at the feist and terrae of Mertimes nixt
to cum, and the wther half thairof at the feist and terme of Witsonday nixt
thaireftir following ; for the quhilk the said Alexander, for himself and all
vtheris, his kyn and freyndis, remittis and forgiffis the said Loke and all
vtheris, his kyn, freyndis, assisteris, complicis, faueraris, and part takaris
of the bluid drawing of him, and art and parte thairof; and als of the
slauchter of vmquhill Besse Chalmer, his spouse, allegit committit be the
said Loke of suddentie. And Androw Chalmer and Alexr. Oglay, litsteris,
become cautionaris and souerteis that the said Loke sail newer be callit, per-
sewit, trublit, nor molestit thairfor in the law, nor by the law, in na tymis
cuming, and the said Alexander and Johnn obleist thame to releif the saidis
cautionaris befoir thir witnes : Alexr. Howesoun, Androw Gareaucht, and
Eduard Donaldsoun, and wther diuerse.
25th November, 1562.
The said day, Thomas Menzeis, prowest, and Maister George Myddil-
toun, bailze, decernit and ordanit Margrat Forbes, servand to Maister
Robert Andersone, quha is convickit for the strubling, stryking, and bluid
drawing of Elizabeth Wood, to pay and recompens the harbour for the
curing and leyching of the said Elizabetht, and to gif her also for ane pe-
cuniall pane xxvj s. viij d. Scottis mony. And attour to compeir on Son-
day nixt cumis, immediatlie efter the preching, within the parroche kirk,
and thair, in presens of the congregatioun, ask God and the party oflfendit
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 353
forgifties, with a contreit and penitent mynd; and gif ewer sche committis 25th Nov.
sic offence in tyra cuming, to be baneist of this toun for ewer ; and the said ^^^•
Maister Robert Andersone, hir maister, is becumin souertie and cautioun
for fulfilling of the premisses, in presence of the prowest and bailzies.
Ath December, 1562.
The said day, the haill merchandis of this burght, being varnit, &c.,
chesit and nominat Thomas Menzes, prowest, and Maister Robert Lu-
raisdene thair lauchtfull commissionaris, to pass to Edinburght, and cary
with thame sic euidentis and charteris of the townis liberteis and preue-
legis as thai think maist necessar to be confirmit be the quenis grace for
the commond weill of this burght, and speciallie the preuelege of the doyn
getting of the custum of certane skynnis, sic as hog, scherling, futfaill,
laraskyne, and wtheris, continit in the infeftment thairof, and to labour and
solist to get ane confirmatioun thairwpoune in dew forme, according to the
deliuerans of the quenis grace, at hir last being in Aberdene, giffin vpoun
the supplicatioun exhibeit vnto hir grace in name of the haill toune thair-
anent. And generalie to do all vther thingis concerning the premissis that
the saidis merchandis mycht do, gif thai wer all present in propir personis,
promittand'to hald ferme and stabill, and obleist thame selffis, that quhat
expenssis the saidis commissionaris makis in the performing of the pre-
missis, to refound the same thankfullie to thame, togidder with thair reason-
abill expenssis that they spend the said reid, and in gratitud for thair panis
and trawell.
23rf February, 1553.
The said day, the haill counsell beand convenit within the chepdour
hous of Sanct Nicolas kirk, decernit and ordinit Patre Menzeis, thesaurar
of this toun, to pay and recompans Thomas Nicolsoun the sowme of nyn-
tene lib. Scottis money, for the cost and expenssis maid be him vpoun the
makin of twa chalmeris of gunnis, quhilk tua chalmeris the said Thomas
lennit to the said toun, and wes brokin at the quenis first entre thairto,
quhilk sail be allowit to the said Patre in his nixt comptis.
\2th March, 1563.
The said day, Thomas Andersoune become cautionar and souerte for
Marjory Andersoune, his sister, to mak thankfull payment induiring hir
264 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
23th March, lyftyme yeirlic, to Maister Edward Menzeis, cheplane of Sanct Margratis
1^^- cheplanry, within the paroche kirk of Abirdene, of ane annuell rent of
fourtie schillingis vsuall money of Scotland, annaliit be wmquhill Andrew
Crafurd, hir husband, to be vpliftit yeirlie of the land and tenement per-
tening to the said vmquhile Androw, hir spouse, and to the said Mariorie
in conjunct fee, lyand in the Gallowgett of the said burght, on the west
syid of the same, forganis the gray freiris place ; and siclyk, to content
and pay yeirlie, induring the space forsaid, to the cheplanis of the paroche
kirk of Aberdene ane annuell rent of twentie s. of the landis and tenementis
forsaid, at Witsonday and Mertimes, be equall portionis, without ony
puynding, comprising, or calling in the law for the samyne, becaus the
said Maister Edward and cheplanis forsaid hes bene guid and thankfull
to the said Mariorie, in remitting of ane part of the said annuell rentis
awand to thame respectiue of certane termes bigane ; and the said Mariorie
obleyst hir to releyff the said Thomas of all the premissis.
The baillies ordanis the four officiaris to pass with Schir Johnne Col-
lyson, collectour to the cheplanis of the paroche kirk of Aberdene, and
puynd and distrenze all the inhabitantis within this burght and fredome
thairof, for thair maillis, few maillis, and annuell rentis awand to thame
of all yeris and termes bygane, conforme to our souerane ladeis letteris
directit thairupoune, and mak the saidis cheplanis to be payit without ony
forther delay.
I5th March, 1563.
The baillies chargit Elizabeth Annand, spouse to Johnne Maitland, to
pay Francis Degley, harbour, twentie s. Scottis mony, for the laubouris
bestowit be him vpoun the said Elizabeths dochter, in heling and mending
of hir ein, within terme of law.
22d March, 1553.
The said day, the prowest, baillies, and counsell, vnderstanding be daily
experiens, that this burght and the inhabitantis thairof, ar hurt and hevelie
skaitht in the selling of lyme and coUis brocht within the hewin, quhilk ar
rissine to gryt dartht and exhorbitant pryce, be the occasioun that our
awin nychtbouris of this toun byis the same, nocht to thair awin wse, hot
to be sauld and disponit for wantage and profit, to the gryt hurt of the
OF THE BURGH OF ABEEDEEN. 365
comraound weill of this burgh. Quhairfor thai statut and ordane that, in 22d March,
tyme cuming, thair be na boyt of lyrae nor collis imbrocht nor coft be ony ^^^^
indwellar of this burght, to be sauld and disponit to the remanent nycht-
bouris for vantage or proffit, vnder the pane of confiscatioun of the haill
lyme and collis pertenyng to thame that beis fundin culpabill thairin ; and
gif ony nychtbour bringis in sic stuff for his awin vse, and hes mair nor
sufficient to stack himself, he sail dispone the rest as he bocht the same,
vnder the pane forsaid.
The said day, the baillies decernit ane testimoniall to be gevin, vnder
the secreit seall, to Patre Hay, that quhair he hes servit ane honorabill
man, Maister Duncane Forbes of Monyrausk, bailze of this toun, now pre-
sentlie be the space of seivin yeiris immediatlie bygane, and maid him guid
and trew seruice induring the said space, and is ane man of honest con-
uersatioun and fame, nocht convickit nor yit accusabill for ony notorious
cryme or offens, bot sua hes behed himself in tyme bygane, that he ma
lefully pass and repass to do and exerse his lesum bissines, quhair evir it
happynnis him to cum.
26M March, 1563.
The said day, William Kennedy, sone naturall and lauchtfull to wm-
quhill William Kennedy, constabill of Abirdene, electit and chesit Maister
Patre Rutherfurd and Alexr. Hay his lauchtfull curatouris, coniunctlie and
seueralie, to govcrne and gyd himself, his geir, and gudis, for his vtilitie
and proffit, to his lauchtfull and perfyte age, quhilkis accepit the said
[office] vpoun tham, and wer sworne to exercise the said office lelele and
treulie. And attour the said William, with consent and assent of his said
curatouris, maid and constitute Mr. Robert Lumisdene, Mr. John Ken-
nedy, and Mr. Olipher Pantoun, his procuratouris, coniunctly and se-
ueraly, in all his actionis and caussis.
\5th April, 1563.
The said day, the haill toune beand lauchfully warnit, &c., it wes statut
and ordanit be the baillies and counsell for the tyme present, with consent
of the haill communite, that in tym cuming na freman nor inhabitant of this
burght by ony malt or meall in gryt to be sauld and disponit agane to
otheris for to regrait the toun and the nychtbouris thairof, bot that euery
356 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
16th April, man by to sustene his awin house and familie allanerlie, vnder the pane of
^^^' escheting of the haill victuall that beis fund in the possessioun of thame
brakand this present statut. And inlykmaner that na beir be sauld within
this toun for this yeir darrer nor xij d. the quart, vnder the payne forsaid.
Attour, that na baxter baik ony eit breid to be sauld, nor na caik baxter
ony caikis to be sauld, vnder the pain foirsaid, and siclyk vnder the pane of
the caik baxteris girdile. Item, that all victuall that cumis to this toun to
be sauld be presentit in the mercat quhill pryce be maid, conforme to the
auld statutis maid obefoir ; and quhatsumeuer persone that happynnis to
comprehend ony victuall bocht in gryt, to be toppit and sauld to vtheris
nychtbouris for regraitting of the toune, the comprehender thairof sail haue
for his labouris the fourth part of the victuall comprehendit be him in maner
foirsaid. Item, it is statut that na fische be bocht to be brokin on the
skemlis be the flescheris, vnder the pane of escheting of the same.
2d July, 1563.
The said day, the counsall ordanis the thesaurer, Patre Menzeis, to an-
suer and obey John Lesly, ridar of the comoun prayeris, the sowme of ten
lib. vsuall money of Scotland for his stipend of his seruice bygane of the
Witsonday terme last bipast, in the yeir of God ra° v'^ saxtie and thre
yeiris, quhilk he hes ellis deseruit ; and als thai ordane that he sail haue ten
lib. yeirlie in tym cuming, at tua termis, Mertimes and Witsonday, be tua
equall portionis, for augmentatioun and suppliment of his yeirlie stipend
quhilk the comptroUar giffis him, and that induring thair villis vpoune his
guid bering and seruice.
5th July, 1563.
The baillies ordanit Patre Meuzes, thesaurar, to deliuer to Dauid EUeis,
segster of the parroche kirk, the sowme of xl s. vsuall money of Scotland,
for the beireing of the puir folk, quhilk salbe allowit to him in his nixt
compt.
\%th January, 1564.
The said day, the haill toune being warnit, &c., grantit and consentit to
persew furtht to the finall end the actioune and caus movit and persewit
be thame aganis Alexander Fraser of Phillorth, anent the preuilege vsurpit
be him of ane fre burght in the toune of Faythlie, contrar the libertie and
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 567
aid preuilegis of this burgh, presentlie dependand befoir the lordis of con- I8th Januaiy,
sell ; and siclyk to intend ane actioune for doune getting and abrogating of ^■^^•
the commoune mercat haldin ilk Sonday at the kirk of Inche, and to con-
tribut and raak expensis thairvpoune, vnto the finall end thairof ; and to
begyne to furneis the said pley, ordanis the sowme of threscoir poundis to be
coUectit and vptakin, and chesit Alexander Forbes, Patrik Gray, Andrew
Huntar, Dauid Andersone, and Alexr. Barnis, taxtaris, to taxt and stent
the haill inhabitantis of this burght, ilkane according to thair faculte and
substance, for collecting and getting of the said sowme ; quhilkis personis
war sworne in jugement to the effect forsaid.
5th May, 1564.
The said day, the counsall present for the tym ordanis that the secrestar
and keipar of thair parroche kirk sail haue yeirlie four merkis, besyd the
accidentis of baptysm and marreage, conforme to the act maid thairupone
obefoir ; and ordinis the thesaurar to ansuer him yeirlie at Mertimes and
Vitsonday of the said sowme of four merkis, be tuo equall portionis and
the said secrestar to hald the kirk fluir clene ; and this act to continew in-
during the consellis will.
\5th May, 1564.
The said day, anent the supplicatioun exhibeit to the consell be Dauid
Elleis, thair commound serwand and keipar of the kirk, to augment his fee
in respect of his ydane and continuall seruice, the counsell augmentit his fee
xiij s. iiij d., extending yeirlie in the haill to four markis ; and ordanis the
thesaurar to ansuer him thairof at tua termis in the yeir, Witsonday and
Mertimes, be tuo equall portionis.
23c/ January, 1565.
The said day, William Blak in Newburght was accusit be Dauid Car-
gile, dean of gild, as a forstaller, in hying of beir, meill, and aittis in sraallis
athort the cuntrie, keiping thairof to a darth, and topping of the same agane,
aganis the luvabill lawis of this realme and actis of parliament. Compeirit
the said Willeam, and grantit the topping of victuall, and thairanent referrit
him in the will of the counsall, quhairfor he was convict and put in amercia-
ment of court to forbeir, &c. ; Gilbert Blak elder, cautioun for his unlaw.
3 A
358 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
23d January. The said day, the haill toun, burgessis, and craftismen, being warmt, &c.,
^"^^ the mater concerning the prouisioun for the pair being opinlie declarit to
tharae be the baillies and minister, and the act of parliament maid thairauent
being publictlie red in all thair audience, and the puir being deuydit in four
rankis, to vit, in babis, decayit persones, houshaldaris, leamit and impotent
personis, and sic as war decrepit and auld, borne and bred within this
burght, at the leist that hes maid thair commoun resort and residence within
the same be the space of thir sevin yeris bypast, thay all in ane voce but ony
oppositioun or contradictioun, following first Goddis commandement, and
nixt the directioun of the said act of parliament, grantit, agreit, and con-
sentit, ilk man frielie and voluntarlie voting be him selfi*, according to the
ordour of the suit roll, sum to receave in thair houssis ane baib and lykwayis
to pay contributioun for help and support of the remanent puir of the rankis
forsaidis, borne and bred within this toun, or at the leist quha hes maid re-
sidence within the same be the space forsaid, vtheris to contribut ; and ilk
man voting be him selfi", grantit to pay the contributioun sett doun in the
roll maid this day for ane yeir, to be payit quarterlie, with prouisioun that
the magistrattis tak sic substantious ordour anent the expelling of extranear
beggaris, idill and vagabond persones, furth of this burght, as the said act
of parliament prescryvis, and that the purell of the rankis forsaids be con-
tenit within houssis, helpit be the commoun contributioun, and nocht suffferit
to cum to the streittis, houssis, or yettis of this burght to seik almous ; and
according to the said voting, ilk man speking be him selfi" as said is, the
roll was instantlie sett doun, and sic as everie man grantit be his awin
mouth wreittin, and the babis delyuerit to sic as was content to receawe
tham, the receaweris name with the babis name wreittin lykwayes.
2d March, 1565.
The said day, Capitane Hew Lawder presentit to the provest and baillies
ane gift of our souerane lord and lade the king and quenis graces, gewin
wnder the priuay seall, of the donatioun of the croftis pertening to the blak
freiris of Abirdene, and the quhyt freiris of the same, with biggingis,
howssis, and yardis perteining thairto, for certane yeiris, contenit in the said
gift, and intimat the same to the saidis prowest and baillies, and posses-
souris and occupearis of the saidis croftis, biggingis, and howssis ; of the
quhilk the tennour foUowis : Henrie and Marie, be the grace of God king
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 359
and quene of Scottis, to the lordis of our consell and sessioune greting : 2d March,
Wit ye ws, with ane awyse of comptrollar, to haue sett and for maill lattine, ^^^•
and be thir our lettres settis and for raaill lattis to our dalie seruitour,
Capitane Hew Lawder, his airis, assignais, and subtennentis, all and sindrie
landis, axeris, croftes, rowmes, possessionis, fruittis, rentis, males, fermes,
proffeittes, commoditeis, and deuiteis quhatsumeuir quhilkis pertenit to the
blak and quhyt freiris of Abirdene, with the ground quhair the plesis stude,
houssis, yardis, and biggingis thairof, togidder with all and sindre wther
houssis, annuel rentis, casualteis, and commoditeis belangand to the saidis
freiris, quhair ewir the same ly to burgh or land, for all the space, dais, and
termes of nyntene yeiris nixt and imraediatlie following the dait heirof,
quhilk salbe the said Capitane Hew, his airis, and assignais forsaidis entres
thairto, and eftir to indure and be peciable bruikit, joissit, occupiit, set,
vsit, and disponit be thame at thair plesour, with power to thame to set
and rais, input and outpute the tennentis of quatsumeuir landis, aikeris,
croftis, houssis, and biggingis belangand to the saidis freiris, and to bald
Courtis, and to mak baillies and substitutis vnder him for haldyne thairof,
and creat all officiaris and memberis of court neidfull for administratioun of
justice, with all and sindry wtheris commoditeis, fredomes, proffeittis, and
rychteouss pertinentis quhatsumeuir perteining or rychteouslie ma pertein
thairto, frielie, quietlie, weill, and in peice, but ony reuocatioun or agane
calling quhatsumeuir, pertening or rychteouslie ma pertene therto, payand
thairfor yeirlie the said Capitane Hew, his airis and assignais forsaidis, to
ws our comptrolleiris and factouris the sowme of ten lib. vsuall money of
our realme, at tua termes in the yeir, Witsonday and Martimes, be tua
equall portionis. Quhairfor we charge straitlie and commandis yow, the
forsaid lordis of our counsell and sessioune, that ye direct our vtheris letteris
in the four formes, and wtheris neidfull, and our said comptrollar present,
and to cum to consent thairto, to caus the said Capitane Hew, his airis and
assignais, be ansuerit and obeyit of the saidis freiris of all landis, aikeris,
croftis, howssis, biggingis, yardis, males, fermes, annuelrentis, proffeittis,
commoditeis, and deviteis pertening thairto in forme as effeiris. Gevin
vnder our priue seall at Edinburgh, the sevintene day of Februar, the yeir
of God j" v"= thre scoir and fywe yeiris, and of our regnne the first and
tuentie four yeiris. Per signaturam manibus, S. D. N. regis et regine sub-
scriptum.
360 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
15th June. \5th June, 1565.
1565. 'pj^g g^j^ (jj^y^ ^Ijg consell ordanis Alexander Rattray to caus beir owt
the proppis that ar in the chalraeris of the arteilzery, to the effect that the
pulder thairon may be saiffit ; and ordanit him to clenge the saidis arteil-
zery and chalraeris, and see quhat faillis there is, and quhat inlaikis, to ad-
uerteis that the same be reformit and raendit ; and ordanis the thesaurar to
send to Flanderis in the errast schippis for ane barrell of pulder, in con-
sideration that thair is hot presently a fordell, only hot a barrell and a half
barrell. Alsua thai ordane the blokhous to be veseit, and the same to be
biggit and mendit with stane and lyme, or faill, as sell be thocht expedient
at the visitatioun thairof.
llth August, 1565.
The said day, the consell ordanis the xii lib. quhilk Maister George
Myddiltoune, thesaurar, hes debursit for tuelf hundreyth sklaitis to mend
the cheppell on the Castelhill, to be thankfullie allowit in his comptis ; and
als the thre lib. quhilk was gewin to the schipe brokyne men.
The said day, the counsall present for the tyme ordanis the thesaurar to
by tuentie stanis of groff pulder, to mix thair awin pulder with quhilk thai
haue presentlie, becaus the same is oner stark and vehement, and sindry
pecis of thair arteilzery brokyne thairwith, with tene stane of bulletis
effeiring thairto ; and inlykwyise ordanis to vesy the arteilzery, and se giff
the same be preparit, and quhat inlaikis to be had incontinent, and the
blokhous to be viseit and preparit as effeiris ; and for the viseing, preparing,
and performing heirof, chesit Gilbert Menzes, Mr. Robert Lumysdene,
Patrik Menzes, and Thomas Nicolsoune, and to collect the money as salbe
dewysit be the counsell, and to deburse the same in maner forsaid ; and
ordanis the thesaurar to giff in his comptis vpoun Furysday nixt to cum.
5th October, 1565.
The sayd day, the consell decernit that Dauid EUeis, ringar of the bellis
aud keypar of the parroche kirk, under Maister Johnne Kennedy, sacristar
of thair said kirk, is ane insufficient serwand, for certan enormiteis and
offencis committit be hym, and thairfor dischargit him of the said cuir ; and
becaus it is considerit be the counsell that the cuir and labour of the said
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 361
office is continuall and grit, thai ordanit the said Maister Johnne to find 5th October,
ane honest trew man, that he wald stand guid for, to serwe wnder him in ^^°^"
the said office, and thai wald augment his fee and accidentis. And ordanit
him to haf therfor yeirly of the toune tene merkis, to be payit and obeit be
the townis thesaurar at Mertimes and Witsonday, be tua equall portionis,
and to haf of accidentis, of euery mariage, xviij d. of honest or reche folkis,
and xij d. of sobir folkis ; and of baptysrae, xii penneis of honest folkis, and
vi d. of sobir folkis ; and for making of gravis of the buriall, xviij penneis
of reche and honest folkis, and xii d. of the sobir estait (alwaise, in all ther
thre forsaidis, the puir and indegent to be fre). And the townis duety of
the buriall in the kirk to be wptakin neuertheles be the maister of the kirk
wark, as it wes obefoir, be reasson of the raising and laying of the pavraent
of the kirk. And the counsall nemmyt Schir William Walcar to serwe
and accept the said cuir, on the conditioun and promise of the stipend for-
said, and requyrit him personaly quha tuk to adwise thairupoune quhill
the morn.
I2th February^ 1566.
The said day, Maister George Myddiltoune, thesaurar, conducit Waltir
Straquhine to expell or slae all the sweyne fundyn on the commond streittis
within this burght, conforme to the act maid thairvpone obefoir be the
consell, and the said Waltir tuik the said office on hand, vnder the pane of
punischraent be the awyse of the consell ; and the said Maister George
promest him thairfoir xx schillingis quhill Fasternewin nixt to cum.
16M April, 1566.
The said day, the prowest, baillies, and counsaill, with consent and adwyse
of the haill communitie, thocht expedient to mak, prepair, and wphald ane
gryt bowat or lamp quhair the same wes obefoir, on the east gawill of Sanct
Ninianis cheppell, vpone the Castelhill, with thre gryt flammand lychtis,
to byrne continewallie thairin in the winter seasoune, fra day lycht vnto
day lycht, and to begyn vpon the first day of September and continew vnto
the last day of Marche yeirlie, sua that the schippis arryving in the raid, or
saland by the cost of Abirdene, may be the said lamp haue jugement and
experiens quhair thai ar to eschew danger. And for the wphald and sus-
tentatioun thairof, and the keipar of the same, thai ordanit, with consent of
the haill merchandis of this burgh, being present for the maist part in thair
362 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
16th April, gild court, that thair be takin wp of euerie sek of gudis that passis furtht
1566. Qf ^jjjg burght to Flanderis, tua sturis ; item, of ilk tune of gudis in France,
ane sowse ; and in England, or ony wther contray outward, vi d., and of
everie time hamewart, vj d. ; item, xij d. of everie last of gudis furtht of
Danskyne hameward, and this to be takin of the merchandis of this burgh
allanerlie ; item, of everie schip of this toune, being of the birtht of fourtie
tune, or quhatsumeuer quantitie aboun, arryving therto out of wther
contraise, fywe schillingis ilk weage ; and ilk schipe of strangaris of siclyk
byrtht, thre schillingis, and ewerie crear xviij penneis, and euery boit sax
penneis. And ordanis ane coUectour to be chosin yeirlie to resaifif and wp-
tak the same, and to mak corapt yeirlie therof in the moneth of Aprill ; and
ordanis the keipar of the said lamp to haue [ ] yeirlie
for his service and laubouris. And chesit Johnne TuUydeff coUectour of
the said contributioune for this yeir, and Sir John Wrycht keipar of the
said lamp for this same yeir, and forther quhill he be dischargit.
IQth April, 1566.
The said day, anent the supplicatioun gewin in and exhibeit to the con-
sell be Johnne Lesley, ridar in the parroche kirk of the said brught, desyr-
ing to his support sum yeirlie augmentation of his stipend, for his seruice
of the riding within the said parroche, in respect that his yeirlie stipend
quhilk he hes of the auctorite is restand awand to him of diuerse termes
bygane, and he incertane gif he is to get payment thairof in tyme cuming,
lyk as in the said supplicatioun at raair lyntht is contenit, the counsell hav-
ing consideratioun thairof augmentit to the said Johnnis stipend the sowme
of tene poundis, extending in the haill to tuenty poundis, to be payit to
him for the space of ane yeir nixt following the dait of thir presentis, sua
that, in the meyntym, thai will get suyr knaulege of the ordour to be maid
anent the paiment of the stipendis of ministeris and ridaris ; and ordanis the
first terme of payment thairof to be at Witsonday nixt cumis, in anno m° v*^
saxtie and sax yeiris.
^d September, 1566.
The said day, Robert Malysone, in presens of Gilbert Menzes, baize,
sett his halfnettis fisching of the fuyrdis vpoun the watter of Dee, to
Thomas Knovs, for ane yeiris fisching into cum nixt following his entres
tharto, quhilk entres salbe, God villing, att Sanct Androwis day nixt
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 363
and immediatlie folloving the dait of thir presentis, and to continew in 3d September,
joysing and bruking of the same quhill the letter Mareday nixt thaireftir ^^^•
following, for the quhilk the said Robert haldis him weill content, satisfeit,
and payitt in hand at the making of thir presentis, and dischargis him
thairof for now and ewir.
I9th November, 1566.
The said day, in presens of the prowest, baillies, consell, and hayll com-
munite of this burght, being present for the maist part, representand the
haill body of the toun, being warnit to the effect under wrytin, comperit
Maister Patrik Ruderfurd, and of his awin fre will, for the sowm of money
wnder wrytin, renuncit, resignit, and our gaif in jugement his tak, asseda-
tioun, titill, andinteres that he had, hes, or ony way mahaffin tyme cuming,
to the haly dayse fische of Sanct Nicholas meytt, quhilk belangis to the wp-
hald of the parroche kirk of the said burgh, in the handis of the prouest, in
name of the haill toune, to be applyit in all tyrae cuming to the reparatioun
of the sayd parroche kirk, as it wes first devysit be the gewaris and gran-
taris thairof, and astrickit thame selffis perpetualy frathinfurtht, and to sett
the same to nychtbouris yeirly quha will gif maist profytt thairfor, to be ap-
plyit as said is, and na wther waise ; for the quhilkis the said comraunite
obleyst thame selffis to pay to the said Maister Patrik the sowme of ane
hundretht and nyne poundis vsuall money of Scotland, (as the consell ap-
punctit with him thairanent obefor,) and var all content to contribut and be
taxat for payment thairof ; and Johnne Lowson becom souertie and cautioune
for payment thairof to the said Maister Patrik, within fourtie daise eftir the
dayt heiroff, and the communite obleist thame to releif hyme thairoff.
3d June, 1567.
The said day, the haill tovne being warnit, &c., it was exponit and pro-
ponit be Thomas Menzes, prowest, quhow that thair parroche kirk in di-
uerse partis wes ruynovs and presentlie to decay, and schew thame quhow
that it wes thair principall place of conventioune to recognoscc thair God,
and to heir the teichement of his word, and in lik maner the sepulchre of
thair forbearis. And in respect heirof thai war addettit of the law to vj)-
hald thair kirk and kirkyard, desyrand thame for the beitment and re-
formatioune thairof, that thai wald willinglie grant to ane contributioune
to be gevin for fulfilling of the same ; and to that effect, that thai suld
364 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
3d June. elect and cheise certain honest, discreit nychtbouris, takand the avise of
^^- craftisraan quhat vald do the same, and to be stentit, every man effeirand
to his valour, to sic ane sovme as salbe thocht expedient for doing of the
said wark, and completing thairof. Quha, being requirit circularie to the
premissis, grantit and cousentit to the same but ony contradictioune, and
to that eflPect electit and chesit thir personis eftir following : Thomas
Menzes, Maister Robert Lumysden, Maister George Myddiltowne,
Maister Thomas Fynny, Johnne TuUydeff, Dauid Andersone, Dauid
Indraucht, Robert Menzes, and Androw Huntar, to be stentaris of the
haill tovne, on sic ane sovme as the saidis stentaris sail think gude and ex-
pedient for doing the same, quha wer sworne presentlie in jugement to stent
equalie the said contributioune and taxatioune vpone the haill indwellaris
of the said toune, and acceppit the same on thame. And the haill tovne
consentit that quhat persone or personis sal happin to dissobey to mak
payment of the said taxatioune as beis stentit, everie man for thair awin
pairt, the officiaris of the tovne to poynd and distreinze the rediest of thair
guidis for the same, the third penny dovne to mak reddy mony thairof.
4tk June, 1567.
The said day, Thomas Menzeis, prowest, Maister Robert Lumysden,
Maister George Myddiltoune, Maister Thomas Finny, Robert Menzes,
Johnne TuUydeflP, Dauid Andersone, Dauid Indearth, and Androw Hun-
tar, quhilkis wer chosyn taxtaris obefoir be the communite of this gude
tovne, to stent ane taxatioune vpon the nychtbouris and inhabitantis thair-
of, to be applyitt and disponitt on the beiting, mending, and reforming,
and menteining of thair parroche kirk, and to considder and modify, be
the adwyse of maissonis, wrychtis, sklaitteris, and discreit craftismen,
quhat speciale sowme of money was necessar, and vald extend to performe
and compleitt the said wark. Being convenit within the counselhouse of
the tolbuytht of the said burght, consultand diligentlie thairvpone, with
consent and adwise of the said craftismen, modifiit and calculat the said
sovme of taxatioune to allevin hundreicht merkis, to be stentit in maner
forsaid, and applyitt as said is.
4th January, 1568.
The said day, the haill consell, for the maist pairt being convenit, grantit
and consentit to Richert Gardine, sumtyme ane of the carmelitis of this
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN 365
burght, his ordinar buird daily amangis the maist honest men of this 4th January.
burght, and specialie of the consell, in ordour, thair day about, ay and ^■^^•
quhill thai prowyd wther wayis for him, and quhill these acts be dis-
chargit, &c.
1 0th January, 1568.
The said day, the halydayis fysche being rowpit in presens of the haill
toune, the quhilk was set to James Ewine for the sowme of fouftye nyne
merkis, and for payment of the quhilk, I, Gilbert Kintor elder, become
cautioune and souerte for the said James, coniunctly and seueralie, and
the [said] James obleist him to releif the [said] Gilbert of the premissis.
24tk January, 1568.
The said day, the counsell for the tyme dewisit and ordanit James
Ewine, quha hes the hallydayis fische in tak of the toune for this instant
yeir to cum, and siclyk all wtheris takismen therof in tyme cuming sail
haif of the possessouris and occupearis of thair watteris of Dee and Doyne,
the hallidayis fische, small or gryt, as it fallis, being within the numer of
three, and gif thair beis mair nor thre, to haif the best fische nixt thair
teind fysche ; and quha withhaldis the said fische fra the said takismen,
and payis nocht the samyn in dew tyme, being requirit to pay for ilk
fische, withhaldine as said is, ten s. to the said takisman yeirlie, in all
tyme cuming.
\Oth February, 1568.
The said day, the haill tovne being convenit, &c., it wes exponit be
the prouest thair electioune of the stentaris the third day of Junii, for
repairing of the kirk, quhilkis thai bed done be the adwise of craftismen
and thair awin iugementis, the sovme of the stent was allevin hundreth
and Ix merkis, of the quhilk the buik of taxatioune wes producit in iug-
ment, subscryuitt with the taxtaris handis, desyrand thame to elect and
cheise tua faythfuU nychtbouris to be coUectouris and resawaris of the
said stent, to be distribut as the maisteris of wark of the kirk sail think
gude, and gif compt thairof. Quha, being circulary inquirit be the said
provest, quhom thai vald haf electit and chesitt to be coUectouris of the
said taxatioun, and debursaris thairof, be adwise of the said maister of
kirk wark, the communite present, all with ane consent, chesit Alexr.
3 B
366 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
10th February, CuUane and Johne TullydefF coUectouris and debursaris forsaid, quha ac-
^*®" ceppit on thame the said cuyr, and ressauit the said buik of taxatioune,
and for diuerse caussis ordanit the saidis coUectouris to resaiff na bard-
heidis in payment of this taxatioune.
9th January, 1569.
The said day, the consell ordanit that the sacrister of thair parroche
kirk sail caus jow the greit bell callit Nicolas, at four hours in the morn-
ing, and that the littill bell callit the Skellat, at aucht houris at evin, to
the eflfect that the seruandis and craft of childer may be warnit to enter
to thair seruice and leif the same in dew tyme, and quhill ane quheill may
de dewysit and maid for easy ringing of the said greyt bell, thai ordane
that the greyt bell callit Lowrens, in place thairof salbe knellit in the mein
tyme, quhill the said quheill be performit.
The said day, anent the supplicatioun presentit be epistill in Latin be
the scolars of the gramair scuill, anent the abrogatioune of thair awld
priuilegisis and libertie in remaining absent fra the scuill, and compellit be
Maister Johnne Hennersonne, thair maister, to conveine at sick tymes as
thai war in wse and preuelege of libertie and skaling obefoir. And siclyk,
anent the complent of thair said maister exhebet to the consell of the
enormitie of his saidis scoUaris, and desirit that the counsell may commit
to him sic order as thay wald him to obserwe perpetualie in tymes cuming ;
and the consell being ryplie awysit thair wpoun, decern it and ordanit that
the bairnis and scoUaris of the said scuill sail haf prevUege and libertie to
remain fra the scuill, thai keipand guid ordour quhair thai pleise, fra Sanct
Thomas evin befor YouU quhiU vpon the morne efter the Epiphanie day
allanerlie, and all wther preuilege of skaling quhilk was vsit at ony tyme
in the yeir of befoir, to be dischargit and abrogatit in all tyme cuming.
9M June, 1569.
The said day, the councell considdering that it was necessar for decore-
ment of this burgh that the tuo blank housines wpon the south syd of the
tolbooth sould be fiUit wp in good ordour with his majesties armes in the
uppermost, and this burghs armes in the nethermost, and in respect the
kingis armes wpon the wtter part of the Gallogate port, in respect of the
antiquite therof was much obliterat, and stood in neid to be illuminat and
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 367
revivit, therfor recoraends to the dean of gild to goe about the effectuating 9th June.
therof, and of the saidis houssines, with all diligence, and to agree with ^^^•
wrichtis and measones theranent, and what he deburses theron the same to
be allowit in his accomptis.
22c? January, 1570
The said day, the maist pairt of the personis of the privay inquest
quhilkis war chosine and sworne obefoir to delait all syk personis as ar in-
sufficient and wnhabile to reraaine in this burght, comperit in presens of the
prowest, and baillies, and consell, and presentit ane buik contening the haill
numer of personis of thair delatioun, and maid fayth thairwpoun. And
thair efter the saidis prowest, and baillies, and consell being ryplie and at
lentht aduysit witht the said buik, and hawang consideratioune and respeck
to the personis contenit thairin, and qualetye of thair crymis, tending pairt
grytar and pairt smaller, modefeyt and kenysit the emendis and puneshment
of the saidis crymis to be distinguet : that is to say, ane certaine numer to
be baneyst of this guid toune for euer, and ane wther certaine to sett cau-
tioun to absteine fra the enormateys of thair delatioune, and for guid rewell
in tyme cuming, wnder the paine of pamynt of ten poundis of euery per-
soune convick anes, and beis convickt againe to be baneyst in lykmaner of
the toun, and to sett souerteyis ilk persoune thairon. Of the quhilkis per-
sonis banest the names efter foUouis, and inlykmaner way, the personis
quhilk sowld sett souerteis, with the names of thair souerteis, in maner
wnder wretin.
Heir foUowis the names of the banest personis :
Patre Stewart, his moder and brether, to be pwneist and baneyst.
Lokky Barrowman.
Robert Craby and his wyf.
Issobell Murray.
Johnne Browne, sowtar.
Dauid Kyntor, cordanar.
Alexr. Reidfurd.
Issobell Myll.
James Fodringham.
James Allan.
Heleyne Caddell and hir husband.
368 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
22d January. Crystian Crystye.
i'^^^- George Smyth.
Margrett Myrtoun, harlet to Win. Crysty.
Mansonis Wyff.
Sande Fraser, and Brumhill, his harlott.
Alexr. Philp.
Mage Dicky, harlat to Allan Bulfurd.
Wm. Gowny,
Jonet Hill,
Mage Irynsyd,
And Jonet Hay, all in ane howse.
Crukit Rob.
Mekill Maly.
Androw Devynny.
Agnes Scott.
Johnne Job and his wyf.
Gilbert Burnet.
Alexr. Wodny, sklatter, and his wyf.
Jonet Tumour.
Dovpis Wyf and hir tua dochteris. «
Watte Andersoun, to be punest and banyst
Skirling Tailzeour.
Hectour Dallowquhy.
Katte Eduard.
Crukit Alhowse and his sonne.
Elspett Mathy.
Dauid Bardame.
William Allan and his harlot.
George Smytht.
The auld smyth callit Huid.
Heir efter foUowis the namis of the personis that lies sett souerteis, and
the namis of ther souerteys :
Maister Robert Chamer souerte for Philp Moiris wyf.
Maister Robert Lumsden, for Alexr. Crysteys wyf, Maly Still, and her
dochter.
OF THE BUEGH OF ABEEDEEN. 369
Gilbert Mengzes eldar, for Williame Snawy, Maggy Myll, alias Crystie, 22d January,
Johnne Sanderis, George Malace, and Androw George and his wyf. ^^^^•
Williame Forbes, for Williame Crysty, conforme to the ordinans.
Gilbert Kyntor youngar, for Agnes Caird and Johnne Duquharis.
Maister Thomas Mengzes, for Androw Thomsonis wyf.
Robert Johnnstoune, for the relict of Alexr. Reid and Maly Oglay.
Maister Patrick Ruderford, for Heleine Broune, Johnne Forbes, Dauid
Macky, and Watsoune the pynnour, and Jane Stewart.
Gilbert Collysoune, for Johnne Macky, Heleyne Duncan, M'Roby,
and for his wyf, Androw Moreiss, Androw Catness and his wyf, Androw
Gawis wyf, and Isobell Buchane.
Gilbert Mengzes, for Issobell Morysoune.
Alexr. Malysoune and Alexr. Bairnis, for Margaret Schippert.
Johnne Baytht, for Elspett Cragmyll, Marebell Innes, and Girsall Fow-
lartowne.
Wille Oglay, for Crystanie Allane.
Patrick Mamwir, for Adame Fawsteris wyf, and Maly Scott and hir
dochter.
Robert Malysoune, for Ehzabeth Philp.
Thomas Howey, for Johnne Rayis wyf.
Alexr. Cullen, for Thome Pirey, Johnnstoun, and John Reid.
Maister Patrick Ruderfurd and Gilbert CoUisoun, for Johnne Huntaris
wyf.
Nicholl Chamer, for EUesoune Still.
Williame Robertsoun, goldsmyth, for Helein Allan, Crystain Hill, and
Issobell Inglis, hir dochter.
James Ewin, for Elspet Fowlartown.
Gilbert Gray, for Margret Gray and hir sister, Wm. Brownis wyf.
Mage Dauidsoun and Issobell Dauidsoun, hir seruandis, and Elspett
Cuming.
Alexr. Malysoun, for Thomas Troup and his wyf.
Olmer Zoung and Wm. Car, for Crystaine Barbour.
Johnne Bairnis, for Dauid Cuttberd.
Alexr. Reid eldar, for Elspett Loremar, and Catte Fowlis, and Androw
Dauidsoun, Tailzeouris wyf.
Androw Gaw, for Johnne Millis wyf.
Maister George Johnnstoun, for Jonett Ramsay.
370 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
22d January, James Spens, for Barcar and Robe Bennett.
1570. Thomas Philip souerty for Thome Angowss.
Michaell Will, for Jonet Will his dochter.
Gawine Wischert, for Catty Findlay.
George Forbes, for Alexr. Hay in Futty.
Robert Akyne cautiouu for Andrew Will and his wyf.
Johnne Burnet, for Thome Gilliame Walcar.
Alexr. Donaldsoun, for Elspett Rankeyne.
The said day, the consell dispensit with Johnne Duquharis, Wm. Crysty,
and Cristain Barbour, quhilkis war ordanit to be baneist of this toune,
vpoune this conditioun following : That in respeck thai ar delaittit for
adultrye, and ar cuesit be the kirk for thair inobediens, that gif thai will
submit thameselffis to the ordinans of the kirk, and schaw thair repentans as
the kirk sail devyse, in that caise thai salbe sufFerit to remain in this towne
vpoun cautioun, and wtherwayis nocht ; quhilkis personnis fand the said
eatioune as is aboun wretin.
6th October, 1570.
The said day, anent the supplicatioune exhibeit and presentit to the con-
sel be Androw Kempt anent the teycheing and instrucking of the childryne
and baimis of the sang scoil, quhilk presentlie is destitut of all exercltioune,
(but prejudice of ony persoun haifand tytile and enteres thairto,) as in the
said supplicatioune at mair leyngth is contenit, the haill consaill, present for
the tyme, all in ane voice, in respeck that Schir Johnne Blak, quha was
anes maister of the said sang scoill, is presentlie absent of the realme, and
na exercitioun of musick vsit in the said scoill, lyk as thair hes beine, na ex-
ercltioune thairin thir diuerse yeris bygane, and for diuerse vther causis,
reyplie aduysit, acceptit, and admyttit (induring thair will) the said Androw
Kempt to the said oflSce, to teiche and instruct thair youththeid and cheil-
dreine in the said facultay of mwseik, meaners, and wertew, for payment of
sic lesum dewetie as wse hes beine, and as he appoyntis witht the parentis
and freindis of the baimis.
[ADDITIONAL EXTRACTS.]
1th February, 1398. 7th February.
Willelmus Blindcele stans ad barram calumpniauit Willelum Cuk dicens ^
quod iniuste ab eo detinuit unum dubletum pretii viii s. et unam togam
longam pretii xx s. Johannes Crab prolocutor dicti Willelmi Cuk negauit
wrang et unlaw concedens quod habuit unum dubletum et unam togam datum
sibi in vadum per Johannem de Brechyn qui tenebatur sibi in xxviii s. et hoc
dixit quod probaret. postea Willelmus Blindcele e contrario dixit asserendo
quod dictus Willelmus Cuk dictam togam et dubletum ab eo replegiauit et
obligauit se illam togam et dubletum iterum sibi intrari ad suam voluntatem
et per plegium extendebat quod sibi dictam togam et dubletum debebat sibi
reintrari Johannes yero Crab antedictus dixit quod ex quo allegauit ad
suam probationem ilia probatio debetur procedere Willelmus Blyndcele
allegauit in contrarium dicens quod ex quo primum plegium extendebat
videlicet quod dictus Willelmus Cuke debebat sibi dicta bona reintrare ex
eo quod eadem a se replegiauit quod allegauit probare ilia probatio sit
subsita per plegium suum prius extenss. debetur procedere aliam proba-
tionem allegat. per dictum Johannem Crab unde ista actio propter debilita-
tem curie dilFertur ad diem lune proximo futuro
Memorand. quod ilia controuersia mota inter Thomam Spryng ot
Johannem Wrycht tam deuastationis cuiusdam terre quam dictus Johannes
de eodem Thoma tenuit in feodo ad declarationera et determinationem
communis consilii ex consensu et unanimi assensu dictorum Thome et
Johannis bona fide prestita data fuit et commissa et per idem consilium sic
cxtetit ordinatum quod idem Johannes Wrycht ipsam terram quara sic
vastam et desolatam dimiserat reintraret et inhabitaret et in eodem statu
seruaret quo fuit in tempore ante suum recessura in edificiis et ceteris
Etiain quod idem Johannes firmam de eadem terra debitam ex terminis
retroactis eidem Thome ex nunc persolueret et idem Thomas dictum
372 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
7th February, Johannem in eadem terra warandizaret et warandizare tenetur in forma
^'^" iuris Super aliis petitionibus et actionibus inter eosdera motis sen hinc
inde petendis eligerent ex utraque parte duos probos viros ad quorum
determinationem super premissis diet. Thomas et Johannes stabunt firmiter
et eorum decreta seruabunt in futuris.
[Ad iter Camerarii.]
Memorand. quod decimo tertio die mensis Martii Paulus Crab iuxta
tronum burgi de Abdene. in raanibus Willelmi Borthwyk tunc unius balli-
uorum dicti burgi extendebat plagium ad iter camerarii quod ex quo falsi-
ficauit indicium de actione mota inter ipsum et Thomam Spryng quod dictus
Thomas non debet se intromittere in terris pertinentibus dicto Paulo quous-
que falsificatio illius iudicii fuerit determinat. Ulterius etiam extendebat per
dictum plegium quod dictus Thomas debet restituere sibi oranes firmas
receptas post falsificationem dicti iudicii ex quo ut diet, est dicti judicii
falsificatio adhuc non est determinata testibus ad premissa vocatis per
dictum Willelmum tunc balliuum quod amplius ab eo dictus Paulus per tunc
non requirebat nee plegium uel ad premissa duo [ ] solutionis exten-
debat Adam Benyn Andr. Petr. et Willelmo Gleny
[Ad iter Camerarii.]
Memorand. quod decimo septimo die eiusdem mensis Martii in pretorio
burgi de Abden. accedens coram preposito et communitate in presentia se-
dent. Alexr. Man commorans cum domino comite de Craufvird petiit ab al-
dirmano et communitate unam cartam perlegi de quodam annuo redditu per-
tinente quondam Willelmo de Dunbar de terra quam nunc inhabitat Willel-
mus Scherol ut dicta carta in se plenius continet nunc ut dictus Alexander
asseruit pertinente Johanne sponse dicti quondam Willelmi de Dunbar que
Johanna tradidit dicto Alexandre dictam cartara ut ipse de dicto annuo
redditu capiet sasinam hereditariam quod sibi concessit dictum annuum
redditum in sua pura viduitate et ex sua libera donatione propter cartam
factam sibi et etiam ratione consanguinitatis unde dictus Alexander dictam
sasinam petiit secundum copiam dicte carte sibi dari a balliuis Willelmus
Scherol in eodem pretorio et eodem die existens extendebat plegium ad
iter camerarium quod dictus Alexr. non potuit nee debuit capere sasinam
de dicto annuo redditu secundum quod hactenus res se habent et dictus
Alexander diet. pleg. recontrarauit
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 373
9^^ May^ 1398. 9th May,
Johannes filius Walter! et Johannes Spryng accusati quod non tenent ^^^
pretium carnis et quod emunt pisces extra villam in preiudicium commu-
nitatis ville ceperunt se ad quitantiam suam in die lune proximo futuro.
Laur. carapsi [ ] est ad quietanciam suam eodem die fiend, propter
dictas causas et ultimo acquietauit se quod non emit carnes post pascham.
Willelmo filio Ade et Johanni Gilberti adiungitur ad suas quitantias
dicto die lune quod non emerunt pisces in preiudicium et dampnum
ville scilicet et Thomas Johannis Et isti tres sunt in amerciamento quod
vendunt carnes sine pretio.
Adiungitur Willelmo filio Ade ad suam probationem die lune proximo
futuro quod Thomas Johannis percussit ipsum Et eidem adiungitur ad
suam quitantiam eodem die quod non perturbauit Thomam Johannis.
Uth July, 1398.
Eodem die Robertus SchirrafF calumpniauit Willelmum filiura Ade
carnificem quod iniuste occupauit quandam domum que sua erat et sine
licensia dictus vero Willelmus petiit legalem diem et legalem summo-
nitionem tanquam vicinus ad vicinum unde assignatur eis proprias dies
legales pro determinatione actionis predicte.
Uth July, 1398.
Eodem die Johannes Crab posuit se in voluntate balliuorum de acquie-
tantia sibi injuncta per balliuos videlicet de verberatione et maledic-
tione Jonete Nory ac etiam de perturbatione domus Andree Petr. et
sic in duobus amerciamentis.
4^/i August, 1398.
Johannes Ayncroft filius posuit se in voluntate balliuorum pro verbe-
ratione uxoris Robert! filii Colini Et ulterius se obtulit per visum vi-
cinorum suorum sine communis consilii ad satisfaciend. dicte mulieri de
dicta verberatione et ad hoc inuenit Willelmum Cryn pleg.
IQth August, 1398.
Johannes Spryng calumpniauit Patricium Crane quod exquo fuit pleg.
de haymhald pro Henrico de Louthiane pro quodam equo ab eodem Hen-
rico per ipsum Johannem empto et ille equus fuit arestatus in viccco-
3 c
374 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
26th August, mitatu de Kyncardyn et ibidem ille equus a dicto Johanne judicatus fuit
^**- per legem Item Patricius tenetur ei restituere pretium dicti equi vide-
licet xxiiii 8. cum dampnis suis in eo tempore sublatis qui quidem Patricius
fatebatur se pleg. fuisse modo quo supra et diem petiit videlicet tempus
xl dierum ut debitorem quereret et parti satisfaceret unde dicta dies sibi
data fuit ad satisfaciend. parti de pretio equi et de dampnis suis et ex-
pensis secundum quod probaret et ad hoc inuenit pleg. videlicet.
leth September, 1398.
Eodem die Thomas filius Johannis Carnifex posuit se in voluntate bal-
liuorum quod fuit rebellis serjiandis ville.
3d October, 1398.
Liber communitatis burgi de Abirdene est iste qui incipit die lune
proximo post festum beati Michaelis Archangeli anno Domini millesirao
trecentesimo nonagesimo nono Quo die electus fuit Adam de Benyn
cum consensu et assensu totius communitatis dicti burgi in officium aldir-
mani Et Willelmus Blyndcell Simon de Benyn Johannes Wormet et
Johannes filius Thome electi fuerunt in officium balliuorum et Maritius
filius Roberti Donaldus Ka Fergusius filius Ade et Johannes de Lucris
electi sunt in officium serjiandorum.
Eodem die electi sunt in communes consiliarios dicti burgi Willelmus de
Camera pater Laurentius de Leth Willelmus de Camera filius Alexander
Banerman Thomas Spryng Willelmus Andree Johannes Andree Johannes
de Ledale Dauid de Scrogis Johannes Scherar Robertus filius Dauid
Johannes Lottoun Hugo Abirbothnot Johannes Ruthirford Willelmus de
Crag Simone Lamb Ricardus de Lownan Willelmus Borthwyk Johannes
Strang et Ricardus Fichet
HineatOteSi. Willelmus Spaldyng
Johannes de Tulach Gilbertus de Kynros
Willelmus Sprout Robertus de Arnache
Johannes Sprout Willelmus Baxter Mykyl
Adam Strathekyn Mauritius Suerdslep
Johannes Lambyntoun Magr. Johannes Wrycht
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 375
_, . ^ . Johannes Cristini 3U October.
^ppretiatOaS ararniUtn. Robertus Baxter 1398.
Thomas Lamb yhunger Simone Bayard
Johannes Yhule Adam Codlyn
Patricius Club
Johannes Lambyntoun M^^t^tXt fBCClesStC
Dauid de Scrogis
SUlStatOreS J^inU Willelmus Blyndcele
Gaufridus de Ramfru Johannes Scherar
Et Johannes Hervy Johannes Sprout
HS^mmoxt^ (Enuimt, Bepositotes.
Adam Wrycht Johannes filius Andree
Alanus Smyth Johannes Ruthirford
In prima tenta die Veneris immediate ante festum penteeostes ordinatum
est quod quicunque inuenerit porcos in blado suo capiet eos tanquam es-
caeta appropriando eos sibi tanquam proprios porcos.
29th October, 1398.
Memorand. quod eodem die controuersia mota inter Simonem Lamb
ex parte una et Johannem Crab filium ex parte altera de quodam annuo
redditu nouem solidorum exeunt, de ilia terra jacente infra burgum de
Abirdene in vico furcarum in occidentali parte eiusdem vici inter terrani
Johannis Strang ex parte australi et terram Nicolai Reginald ex parte
boreali quem annuum redditum dictus Johannes Crab habuit a fratre Jo-
hanne Both will ordinis fratrum predicatorum de Abirdene gerent. se
j)ro tunc justum possessorem dicti annui redditus ut prius suam tra-
ditionem inde factam dicto Johanni Crab prout scriptum est in quo-
dam rotulamento inde confecto in libro communitatis burgi de Abirdene
de anno etc. nonagesirao sexto in curia per balliuos tenta tertio die mensis
Septembris eiusdem anni sexti quod rotulamentum ita dicit et in se pro-
portat. Memorand. quod vicesimo octauo die mensis Septembris anno etc.
nonagesimo septimo [ ? ] comparuit in pretorio frater Johannes Bothwill or-
dinis fratrum predicatorum burgi de Abirdene et palam tradidit Johanni
Crab filio imperpetuum sine animo reuocandi aut contradicendi in futu-
rum omne ius et iuris clameum quod habuit in illo annuo redditu nouem
376 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
29th October, solidoruin alias sibi debito de una terra jacente infra burgum de Abir-
139a dene in vico furcarum in occidentali parte eiusdem vici inter terram Jo-
hannis Strang ex parte australi et terram Nicholay Riginaldi ex parte
boreali sic quod dictus frater Johannes Bothwill in presentia aldirmani et
balliuorum iurauit corporaliter quod post .... jus suura fideliter dicto
Johanni Crab tradidit nunquam intendit se introraittere predict© annuo
redditu teste curia Inde tandem ita fuit determinatum vere quod dictus
Simo Lamb elegit pro parte sua Johannem Scherar unum balliuorum
dicti burgi Johannem Ruthirfurd et Willelmura Scherol suos arbitros et
dictus Johannes Crab pro parte sua elegit Willelmum Andr. Adam le
Benyn et Johannem Andr. suos arbitros Willelmo de Camera patre tunc
aldirmano dicti burgi ex consensu utriusque partis electo pro superiori
ad concordand. dictas partes si in aliquo discordirent Quo facto et pre-
dictis arbitris sedentibus adjunclis per se nullis aliis se cum ipsis mis-
centibus tandem sibi aduocari fecerunt predictos Simonem et Johan-
nem qui arbitres unanimiter et concordanter venientes in pretorio coram
Simone de Benyn et Magistro Willelmo Dicsoun balliuis dicti burgi nec-
non et ceteris de curia precepiunt dicto Johanni Crab ut quod per eos
fuerat determinatum ipse supleret et faceret qui Johannes voluntarie et
sponte in manibus dicti Magistri Willelmi unius balliuorum dicti burgi
tradens unam cyrotecam nomine dicti annul redditus ut ipse Magister
Willelmus eandem cyrotecam et nomine eiusdem annul redditus traderet
dicto Simoni Lamb ita dixit Ego Johannes Crab filius raea mera et
spontanea voluntate sine auirao reuocand. vel contradicendi palam trado
Simoni Lamb conburgen. meo et vicino omne ius et iuris clameum quod
habeo in illo annuo redditu sepissime antedicto exeunte de terra ilia su-
perius nominata Teste curia.
Memorand. quod quarto die mensis Decembris anno quo supra Willelmus
de Camera pater aldirmanus ville deuenit pleg. pro Roberto Russ merca-
tore Anglie ad seruand. ballivos ville scilicet Robertum Dauid Simonem
de Benyn Johannem Scherar et Magistrum Willelmum Dicsoun indempnes
erga pisces salmon, per dictum Robertum et suos seruentes in diuersis
nauibus et diuersis vicibus a dicta villa transportat et hinc et ab omni
calumpnia fiend, per dominum nostrum regem si contigerit de noua cus-
tuma facta super pisces et aliis contentis in statutis.
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 377
Crastino vero die. s. decimo die huius mensis Decembris Willelmus de 29th October,
Camera pater prolocutor Thome Hale stans ad barram petiit Ward curie 1398.
dicto Thome Hale dari de actione mota inter dictum Thomam et Willel-
mum de Strade secundumquod prius in rotulamentis superius scriptis unde
Simo de Benyn ibidem sedens in pretorio tanquam judex qui balliuus fate-
batur se promptura et paratum ad faciend. ea que in tali tam iudici perti-
nebat sed propter debilitatem curie dictam ward non potuit procedere illo
die Idcirco dictus Willelmus de Camera pater prolocutor dicti Thome
Hale extendebat plegiura ad iter Camerar. que exquo dictus Thomas
ter comparuit ad barram per tres dies sibi assignatos a balliuis ad recipiend.
dictam ward et dicta ward non fuit sibi data propter debilitatem curie ut
predicitur consequenter Thomas conuictus fuit a calumpnia dicti Willelmi
de Strade.
1399, Tuesday after the Feast of Michael the Archangel.
Copia Larabyntoun and Craufurd.
This is the cunand made betwex the comownys of Abden on the ta
part, and Jon Lambynton and Crawfurd, mason, on the tother part : that
is to say, that the forsaid masonys sale hew to the forsaid commownys
xii durris and xii wyndowys, in fre tailly, and sail delyvir frely thaim at
ony key of Abirden, or ellis at the sandis at Lawrence of Lethis howss,
and that werk sal be sufficiand gude, but freything borth ilk ane for oyther.
Et dictus Johannes Lambynton obligauit se bona fide ad deliverand.
diet, ostia et fenistras apud le key de Abirden ante festum Pasche
proximo futur. seipso pleg.
22rf October, 1399.
Henricus Sclatur et Nicolaus Mercer particulariter calumpniat de per-
turbatione ville per brigam inter ipsos motam negauerunt dictam per-
turbationem unde adiungitur eisdem ad suas acquietantias die lune proximo
futuro de perturbatione antedicta.
3rf November, 1399.
Eodem die Simon Bayard accedens ad barram obtulit so paratum ad
sectuni Willelmi Blyndcele et ad respondend. eidem de omnibus que de
iure potuit opponere contra eum Quo quidem Willelmo legitime vocato
ad prosequend. contra dictum Simonem et non comparente dictus Simon
378 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
3d November, extendebat pleg. quod conuictus fuit a calumpnia sua tanquam illo die et
^^^' quousque nouiter fuerat attachatus.
I4th November, 1399.
Adiungitur Waltero Rede ad veniend. die lune proximo futuro cum sua
acquietantia nomine uxoris sue ad acquietand. se quod non peiorat forum
emendo vel vendendo brass, farinam vel auenam pro maiori pretio quam
vicini sui offerunt pro eisdem videlicet arris vicinorum existentibus in mani-
bus vendentium de pretio antedicto etiam quod non propinat de huius-
modi rebus sic emptis in domo sua aliter quam iuris ordo requirit in pre-
iudicium communitatis.
1st December, 1399.
Johannes Crab prolocutor Matilde Strang calumpniauit quendam foris
habitantem vocatum Robertura Gal qua calumpnia omnino dimissa Ita
concordatum est inter partes quod dictus Robertus infra xv dies post ad-
uentum Thome Strang citra mare veniet ad burgum de Abdene. in eodem
statu sicut hodie stetit in curia ad respondend. dicto Thome vel eius deputato
adea que habet contra eundem objecere in forma iuris pleg. pro dicto
Roberto Simone Lamb
Eodem die Alanus Jacobi prolocutor prioris domus fratrum carmelit-
arum calumpniauit Adam filium Walteri quod iniuste ab eo tenet iiii s. et
vi d. de firmis domus sue cuius domus diet. Adam adhuc habet clauem
Johannes Scherar prolocutor dicti Adami respondebat dicens quod diuersa
sunt compotand. inter diet, priorem et Adam oflFerendo omnes actiones
inter ipsos ad componem et determinationem vicinorm suorum ad hoc
eligendorum et quod dicta actio debeat sic terminari extendebat per pleg.
dictus Alanus diet. pleg. recontrariauit dicens quod firma domus predicte
que pertinet ad dictos fratres carmelitares nuUo modo debeat deferri non
solut. ultra terminum nee ad componicionem vicinorum poni ward huius
pleg. et recontrariationis differtur ad proprium diem legalem proper debili-
tatem curie.
9th February, 1400.
Johannes Ledale famulus Johannis Ledale burgen. de Abdene. calump-
niatus ex parte regis quod perturbauit villam cum dedryke quod flamingo
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN 379
negauit omnimodam perturbationem Adiungitur eidem ad veniend. in oc- 9th February,
tauis presentis curie ad suam acquietantiam secundum quod exigit ordo ^^^*
iuris pleg. pro ipso Alexandro Banerman.
Similiter dictus Johannes Ledale famulus calurapniatus quod postquam
inuenit pleg. de inderapnitate diet, dedryke pro se vel sua impetratione in
presentia balliuorum vel unius eorum secundum exigentiam iuris et diet,
pleg. in presentia unius balliuorum fregit. dampna regis fuerunt sibi taxata
ad valorem centum librarum proper dictum [ ] cum amicis suis
auisatus de dicta calurapnia posuit se in voluntate balliuorum Unde ad-
iudicatus est in dicta pena per os iudicis curie ad hoc iurat. pleg. Alex-
andro Banerman et Johanne Ledale
31 5^ May, 1400.
Repertum est et ordinatum per assisam quod Elena Scotcok est \re\e-
gand. per centum annos et dies et si iterum ad villara veniat ferrum ferlot.
affigetur in gena sua Et CyfFy si unquam in posterum delinquat eadem
pena et eodem modo punietur.
\st October, 1400.
In prima tenta primo die mensis Octobris anno quo supra adiungebatur
Willelmo Walkar de Hole ad acquietand. se in octauis injuncto prime
se decinio tertio quod non procurauit dumum contra vicinos suos In
crastina die adiungebatur Girkyno Webster ad veniend. in die Sabbati
proximo sequente acquietando se decimo tercio quod non locutus fuit
aliqua verba enormia contra balliuos vel in despectum eorum vel legess.
2Qth June, 1401.
Quia deputatus camerar. in exitu ultimi itineris sui tenti infra burgum
de Abirden dedit balliuo mandata quod leuaret assissam fidedignorum
dicti burgi sui ad determinand. causam et actionem mot. inter Willel-
mum de Strade et Petrum de Paxtoun dictus Willelmus accedens ad
barram petiit illud mandatum supleri ct ad hoc extendebat pleg. et ul-
terius extendebat pleg. quod dictus Petrus tenetur compareri ad quodlibet
iter camerarii responsur. iuri et [ ] asserendo ulterius et dicendo
quod dictus Petrus fuit fugitimus in quatuor itineribus camerarii ultimo
tentis infra dictum burgum. Dictus Petrus incontinenter accedens ad bar-
380 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
20th June, ram et audita per eum recitatione dicti Willelmi ac plenius intellecta obtulit
1*01. se promptum et paratum coram preposito balliuis et plena curia ad po-
nend. omnes causas actiones et controuersias motas inter ipsum et dictum
Willelmura ad deterrainationem vicinorum insuspectorum ad hoc ex utra-
que parte electorum et de hoc petiit testimonium ab omnibus consedentibus
scilicet preposito balliuis et plena curia.
Tuesday after the Feast of St. Lucia the Virgin^ 1401.
Ordinatum est quod nuUus infra burgum manens presuraat vendere boll,
sal. minus v s. et iiii d. et petr. ferri pro xvi d. sub pena de v s. et iiii d.
qualibet vice qua frangitur dicta ordinatio de venditione [ ] et sub
pena de xvi d. qualibet vice qua frangitur ordinatio ferri excepta ven-
ditione predictorum facta vicinis ville et dominis pace scilicet vendit. in
quantitate 2™ celdr. et dim.celdr. vel integr. roddis ferri et ista ordinatio
durabit ad festum Pasche proximo futurum.
1401.
Reuerence and honour likit yhu to wit, that the lord of Keth arestit
yhur wyn and yhur oxin, and for gud causis as he lete ws wit ; and for
yhur sakis we made him request that he suld frely delyuer thaim, for the
quilk request he has delyuerit thaim frely at this tym, for we ar thai at wald
at gud acord war betwex yhu and hyra, and wil do our besynes to bryng
it thar to at our power, at the quilk accord he sayis he wald be gladly
and sal nocht leve in his defaute. Qwarfor, der lord, it is our consale, and
we requir yhu, that for essy of the contrar and quiet of our place, yhe
wald asich gif yhe ocht aw hym, sa that hym nedit nocht in tyrae to cum
til mak sic pundyng and namly in our tovn, for he says it is previt dete
that yhe aw hym, and of lang tyme by gane ; and gif yhe will adreis yhu
to be at ony day with hym for the knawlege of the forsaid thyngis sends
ws word, and we sal late hym wit, and gif it langs ansuer we sal ger send
it yhu, for we ar richt mykil haldyn to yhu, and als til hym. God kepe
yhur estate as we desir.
Prima tenta per preposit. decimo sexto die mensis Octobris ubi cum
consensu et assensu maioris partis de communitate ibidem congregat. or-
dinatum fuit pro communi utilitate ville et coramorantiura in eadem.
In primis quod summoniti personaliter ad curias seu ad primas pre-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 381
positi et non comparentes ante ultimam vocationem sect, nisi legitimum 20th June,
habeant essonurn soluet iiii d. sine remissione. ^^*^^'
Et eodem modo et eandem penam soluet absentes a curia balliuorum in
diebus legalibus.
Item de pistoribus brasiatoribus et carnificibus capiend. est pro prime
forisfacto xii d. pro secundo ii s. pro tertio iii s. et pro quarto forisfacto
suspendatur ab officiis suis per annum.
Item si aliquis infra burgum percussit aliquem cum gladio bipenni cul-
tello vel baculo soluet octo solidos Et si cum pugno percussit quatuor
solidos Et si aliquis maledixerit aliquem infra burgum ipsum menciendo
vel tangendo bonam famam suam soluet duos solidos.
Item, si aliquis vicinus ville voluntarie detineat aliquod debitura ab alio
vicino permittendo ipsum procedere coram balliuis usque ad quartum diem
processus et super hoc conuictus fuerit iuridice vel concedendo soluet octo
solidos sine remissione.
Item si aliquis dispersionauerit maledixerit vel inobediens fuerit aliqui-
bus officiariis ville suum officium exercentibus soluet octo solidos sine re-
missione et hoc [ ] de burgen.
Item si aliquis maledixerit in primis prepositi vel curiis balliuorum
soluet octo solidos.
Item si aliquis alte loquatur in primis prepositi vel curiis balliuorum
unde predicte curie inquietantur nisi sit cum licentia petita et obtenta et
legitime loquatur soluet xii d.
Item aliqua regrataria emat aliquod antequam veniat ad forum et cruceni
burgi et post pulsationem campane soluet xii d.
Item si aliquis emat brasinum vel farinum in domibus antequam veniat
ad forum et crucem burgi et ibidem stet usque pulsationem campane
soluet ii s.
Item in curius balliuorum nulla probatio acceptabitur nisi [ ] pro-
batio et littera sigillata residuum vero ponetur ad assisam
Item quod quilibet foristallator conuictus de foristallatione lane corium
vel pellium soluet quinque raarcas sine remissione
Item quilibet burgensis receptans vel celans foristallatores vel eoruui
bona in preuidicium libertatis burgi vel communitatis utilitatis eiusdem
soluet xl s.
Item quicunque habuerit aliquem panum cuiuscumque non libere infra
burgum ad tingend. vel quecunque alia bona ultra mar. Vel etiam burgen.
3 D
382 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
aothJune, fofishabitantes non locantes neque scotant. soluet xl s. et panus et alia
^^^- bona erunt eschaeta
Item quicunque diebus diuersis infra villain emerint vel vendiderint
aliquas raercandizas soluet decern solidos sine remissione
Ordinatum est quod quicunque maledixerit preposito balliuis vel cui-
cunque officiar. regis pro prirao transgressu osculabitur stillicigiuin pro
secundo transgressu ponetur super stilicigium et [ ] cum eius [ ]
et pro tertio transgressu exulabitur de villa anno et die et hoc intelligitur
si non fuerint burgen.
Et memorandum quod quilibet est liber ad emenda. infra Marr pro quo-
cunque precio pro quo voluit et ly Marr contin. a Monymusk et Kege et
Forbes australiter dovne the water of Donne ad Abirden apon the su
[syd] of that ilk watter.
And thir arr the sortis that arr outetane the Lord of Mar, Sir W. of
Keth, the Bischop of A[berden], the Abbot of Der, the Lord the Hay,
Malcolm Marchell, S. Jon of Nevy, Andr. of Keth pater. Sir Henry
Preston, Thom. Brisbane, Alexr. Fraser of Percok.
And qwa sua brekis this ordenance, he sal pay xl s. als oft tymes as he
brekis it, how mekyll or how lytil that euer he buyis within a sek of woU ;
and gif any excedis byand mar than a sett, of woU agayn this ordenance,
how oftymys he dois he sail pay iiii [s.]
1402.
Curia capitalis que debebat teneri die lune proximo post dominicam qua
cantatur quasi modo geniti de anno huius libri diiferebatur ad quintam
diem mensis Julii de predicto anno eo quod medio tempore fuit quoddam
consilium generale tent, apud Perth ubi oportebat inter cetera ibidem deter-
minanda videri quomodo curia debebat infra regnum affirmari post mortem
nobilissimi principis domini Roberti lUustris regis Scotie Quo die curia
affirmata ex parte domini Roberti ducis Albanie generalis gubernatoris
regni Scotie prepositi et balliuorum burgi de Abden. etc. et sect, vocat.
absent, patent, in rotulis
Forist. et Tannatores de prirao anno Roberti Dauid
Moricius Sutar de Ratry forist. et tannator pessimus
Alexander de Spens foristallator maxiraus conuict per assisam pro forist.
Simo Sutar de Der forist. et tannator
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 383
Adam Colini foristallator maximus 1402.
Johannes Scot de Fyvy forist. est maximus [ ] maro ad arrestanda
bona sua
Thomas Clerkson de Aldane maximus
Thomas Home at the Grange of Inuerogy forist. et tannator conuict
pro forist. pell.
Thomas Imlach apud Logalussis forist. et tanator ^
Will Sucar apud Drumdola forist et tannator J ^P''^ Frendracht
Robertus Brovne apud Frendracht forist. Et Gyb Bowman Isti duo
maximi forist. ad Morauiam
Alexr. Spryng forist est in [ ]
Robertus de Garviach apud Achmacludy tanator
Johannes Watsoun filius Walteri Johannis forist.
Rogarsoun apud Kirktoun de Philorth forist.
Filius Andree de Mar coramorans cum patre suo forist.
Filius Thome Home cum Thoma Lambe forist.
Girk cum Ric. Incheen forist. est maximus.
Will, filius Niclay de Kyninmond tannator ad signum quod fecit
sutorem de Deir facer, sibi ocreas et seculares quos vendit ad nundinas
Johannes filius Colini apud Ester Tyry tannator
Jac. Joffraysoun forist. est emit cor. prius premonitionem.
Johannes cum Willelmo Dayntre forist. ad preposit.
Duncane Rolland forist. est
Johannes Smale forist. est
Johannes Hulk
Adam filius Willelmi cum Thoma Lamb forist.
Johannes Pennysoun forist. est
Mury Dunny
Filius Thome Yhung de Dursblar venit ad domum Thome Lamb cum
quodara rurali
W. Thaynstoun
Duncanus pater suus commoratur apud Kyntor et venit ad domum
Willelmi Thaynstoun
Johannes Lamb habet garciferos nomina vestiuntur
Simo More receptat foristallatores
Thomes Hale sir.
Johannes Flechar tannator et forist. prius [ ] de cor. per Dominum
384 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
1408. Johannes Fynnysoun apud Crechmond tannator
Michael Sutar de Kynmanydy tannator
Johannes Oute with the swerd apud Der tannator est
Rayny de Pethynstoth apud Quiltis de fedra tannator
Johannes Horn apud Furvy tannator
Mury Sutar apud Scotistoun tannator
Thomas Hugonis ly apud Rathyn tannator
Johannes filius Thome apud molendinura de Alden tannator
Johannes Letgate forist. conuersatur cum Jacobo Walkar de Der
Duncanus paruus garcio qui furt cum Johanne Tulach laborat
Willelmus Hugonis forist. maximus
Walterus Fayrhare forist.
Johannes filius Nicholay Lethe forist.
Michall Sutar de Inuervry tannator
Andreas Wodman forist. maximus
Nicholaus Sutar de Obeyn tannator
Johannes filius eius apud Obeyn tannator
Thomas Fynlay cum Duncano de Marr
Morice cum Duncano de Marr V forist.
Johannes de Strathekyn cum eodem
Morgan de Forest forist.
Robert Watsoun at the furd halussis of Kintor tannator
Andre Mathysoun apud Babuthane tannator
Johannes Lamb pleg. ad iter camerarium
Ady Lawsoun de Strabolgy tannator
Will Sutar apud Kyntor
Will Blakburn ibidem
Johannes Wilkysoun pater suus commoratur apud Achynstynk venit
ad Willelmum de Thaynstoun forist.
Alanus de Meldrum apud Meldrum tannator
Thomas apud Scyves tannator
Simo Curst forist.
Litil Wil apud Fovern tannator
Jamy Lawsoun cum opella et forist. animalia
Johannes de Camera de Cumesty forist. lana. valde
Johannes Qwitbrow forist.
Robert Sutar de Petynkery tannator
}
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 385
Rogy Malcolmsoun apud Corthill tannator 1402.
Adam Sutar apud ly Brynchall de Kyntor
Johannes Inglis de Balbuthane
Robert Buklar de Athirwike est in amer.
Johannes Atkynsoun 1 , t
- , . / > de Inuervry
Johannes Andro J
Meg Cambrawno de Monyrausk
Amy Lowask apud Kyngudy
Will Dauid de Cluny
Thomas Makysoun apud Newburgh tannator et forist. ad Lychtoun
Secatores parui.
Donaldus Gray apud Drumblate
Jacobus Walkar de Der
Johannes Walkar de Armakar
Thomas Walkar de Carnbulgf
Johannes Rede apud Crechmond
Simo Smale apud Elon
Ricardus Walkar quondam apud Straloch
Thomas Walker apud Cragydarge
Johannes Walkar in parochia de Kynerny
The Walkar of Rothy Brisbane
Thomas Walkar de Migmar
Donaldus Walkar apud Beldy
Unus Walkar de Arqwhorsk
1405.
Memorand. quod xiii die mensis Junii de anno predicto in curia legali
ibidem tenta comparuit coram balliuis Alexander de Keth asserens quod
idem dies sibi fuit assignatus per balliuos ad recipiend. quandam proba-
tionem ducendam per Simonem de Benyn contra quandam obligationem
sibi per dictum Simonem factam vel quoddam aliud defacicns contra eandem
obligationem Vnde dicti balliui fecerunt vocari ad barram dictum Simonem
ad producendam suam probationem vel ad monstrandum suum defaciens
qui Simo accedens ad barram petiit obligationem suam sibi monstrari et
perlegi Qua sibi tandem monstrata et perlecta dictus Simo allegauit quod
predicta obligatio nuUius fuit valoris aut momenti eo quod vi coactus et
386 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
1405. in carcere detentus et sue potestatus non existens fecit et sigillauit prefatam
obligationem quibus de causis porrexit pleg. ad iter Camerarii quod ilia
obligatio fuit illegitima et eura non debeat coarcari vel ligari seu per
earn distringi ad aliquam satisfactionem vel solutionem et hoc allegauit
esse eufficiens defaciens dictam obligationem pro parte sua hoc facto Alex-
ander de Keth extendebat pleg. quod exquo dictus dies fuit sibi assignatus
ad recipiend. probationem seu defaciens ut premittitur quam obligationem
prefatam faciendam a dicto Simone et ipse Simo nuUam probationem seu
aliquod defaciens legitime contra dictam obligationem produxit ad suam
calumpniam peruenit tam non defens. Vnde partibus remotis a curia
curia bene consulta et auisata considerabat quod exquo pleg. dicti Alex-
andri porrectum fuit post clamationera Itineris Camerarii non poterat eum
wardare nee se de eo incontinente Et etiam curia considerabat quod ex
quo pleg. dicti Simonis fuit porrectum ad iter Camerarii ante pleg. dicti
Alexandri quod omnia premissa debeant de iure difFerri ad iter Camerarii
et hoc notificatum fuit utrique parti in plena curia per dictos balliuos ipsas
partes premuniendo dicto itlneri inde [ ] ad capiend. ibidem super sua
controuersia iuris et iustitie complementum
Memorand. quod decimo sexto die mensis Aprilis anno etc. cccc™°
septimo quedam discordia accidebat inter dominum Walterum de Lyndesay
ex una parte et dominum Alexandrum de Forbes ex altera parte Super
mitigatione cuius discordie prepositus et balliui ceperunt pleg. et securita-
tem de ambabus partibus predictis quod nulla partium predictarum dampna-
bit aliam nisi per viam iuris super premunitione octo dierum pleg. pro
domino Waltero Roberto Dauid aldirmano et Laurentio de Leth et Simone
de Benyn Plegiis pro domino Alexandre Johanne Alani Johanne Henrici
et Andrea. Johannis
Gwyn aurifab. posuit se in voluntate balliuorura pro perturbatione ville
et Copyn in amerciamenta pro consimili causa xv s. ix d.
17 th June, 1410.
Memorand. quod anno Domini millesimo cccc"" decimo septimo die
mensis Junii ordinatum fuit per commune consilium et maiorem partem
mercatorum dicti burgi quod deinceps nuUus emat lanam Buchanie pro
maiori pretio quam pro ii s. exceptis sortis dominorura et liberetenentium
Et quod lana illorum dominorum et liberetenentium non excedat xxx d.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 387
et quod lana de Marr non excedat xxx d. et lana de ly Garviach Et qui i7th June,
excessit istam ordinationem soluet xx s. quotiens super hoc conuictus fuit ^^^^■
et deponetur a sua libertate pro anno et die Et si placuerit communitati
de nouo emet libertatem suam.
llth October, 1411.
Ordinatum est et statututn pro tota communitate in una prima tenta
ix" die Octobris de anno etc. cccc™" xi"*" pro termino unius anni quod qui-
cunque vicinus ville vel inhabitans villam qui procurat dominos contra
vicinum suura vel contra aliquem inbabitantem villam soluet qualibet vice
qua sic fecerit quadraginta solidos sine remissione pro tribus vicibus Et
si quarta vice fecerit priuabitur a libertate sua penitus et omnino Et si
non habeat unde soluet dictam penam incarcerabitur per tres dies et tres
noctes et postea abuirabit villam pro anno et die
Item ordinatum quod quicunque inhabitans villam suie vicinus . fuerit
suie non qui non venerit ad prepositum balliuos vel sergiandos qui viderint
vel audierint ipsos vel aliquem ipsorum indigere adiutorio si de hoc con-
uicti fuerint soluet decem solidos sine remissione [ ] pena debet capi
de ipsis qui se abstrahunt a vicinis suis quum se vident indigere adiutorio
vel esse in punctu suppressionis et potissime per extrahabitantes burgum
Item ordinatum est quod quicunque non venerint ad priraas propositi
vel ad curias balliuorum vel qui premunitus fuerit per sergiandos super
viam ad veniend. coram preposito vel balliuis extra curias suas forte propter
submittas causas vel actiones [ ] repente superuenientes ut sepe ac-
cidit soluet qualibet vice qua sic fecerit quatuor denarios sine remissione
Monday/ after the Feast of Epiphany, 1411.
Eodem die Alexander de Irwyn dominus de Drum tutor et curator
[ ] filii et heredis Willelmi Crab quondam burgensis de Abirdene
protestauit pro quodam annuo redditu quindem solidorum diet. [ ]
debit, annuatim de ilia terra quam tenuit Matheus Pynchest in feodo et
hereditate de dicto quondam Willelmo Crab inter terram que fuit quondam
dicti Mathei ex parte orientali et terram que fuit quondam Halde Fulane ex
parte occidentali Ad quam terram veniens nichil inuenit distringibile pro
dicto annuo redditu et terram et lapides quos presentauit in curia coram
balliuis tanquam primo die huius processus Testibus Willelmo de Camera
filio et Simone Lamb
388 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
1411. Die lune proximo post dominicam qua cantatur quasi modi geniti
Uxor Simonis palframan in amerciamento curie quod iniuste verberauit
quandam mulierem et cepit pannos et iniuste ab eadem et in duobus
amerciamentis quod concessit verberationem et postea quum assisa fuit
leuata concessit iniustam captionem pannorum
Monday after the Feast of Epiphany , 1412.
Eodem die accedens ad barram Johannes Wricht protestabatur pro
quodam annuo redditu duorum solidorum sibi et Alexandre Berclay de
Garntuly annuatim debito et exeunte de quadam terra jacente in vico de
Foty inter terram Johannis Atkynsoun ex parte australi et terram quon-
dam Patricii Baxter quam dedit Duncano Hervy in maritagio cum filia
sua ex parte boreali ad quam terram veniens nichil reperiit distringibile
pro dicto annuo redditu preter terram et lapides quos presentauit in curia
coram balliuis tanquam primo die huius processus Testibus Johanne
Smale et Johanne Andree
2M July, 1412.
Quo die accedens ad barram Bricius filius Duncani cum prolocutoribus
suis domino de Gordoun et Johanne Inchemartyn [ ] Rossen. extendebat
per pleg. primo quod ex quo Andreas filius Giiberti ab eo recepit tres
pipas de Wad et diet. Wad de illis pipis euacuauit ponendo illud Wad in
quadam domo sua tenendo illud ultra xl dies non satisfikciend. summam per
ipsum debitam dicto Bricio infra dictum tempus quod dictus Andreas
audiens dictam calumpniam et dicti pleg. inuentionem stetit nichil re-
spondendo non negando nee concedendo nee auisationem petendo Tunc
dictus Johannes Inchemartyn tanquam prolocutor dicti Bricii extendebat
per pleg. quod dictos Bricius Duncani ad suam peruenit calumpniam causa
non defensa Ex quo dictus Andreas noluit negare vel concedere vel
aliud legitimum responsum dare Quod pleg. dictus Andreas recontrariauit
et sic ad wardam curie Unde partibus remotis curia diligenter auisata
decreuit et per os Johannis filii Lawrentii iudicatoris curie datum fuit
pro iudicio quod ultimum pleg. per dictum Johannem Inchemartyn nomine
dicti Bricii extensi fuit valoris et recontrariatio facta per dictum Andream
nullius valoris et dictus Andreas in amerciamento curie.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 389
1412. 1412.
Item, it is ordenit, with hale consent of the comonateis, that ilke man
duelland in the burgh, of wateuer state or conditioun that he be of, sal
stand gaird, and with the aldirman and the baillies of the tovn, and for to
kepe the comone profite of the tovne and the fredomys of it, and to sup-
ponale and raaintene the officeris of the tovne in thair office doand, and
thair nychtbouris als fra schaith and susprice, under the payne of banysing
and tyttyn doune of his huss ; and gif he has na huss, under the payne of
banysyng and the guds eschete.
Als at thai ryss to the ryngyng of the comoun bell, and to biddyng of
the officeris of the tovne ; and giff ony soudane aifray comys, that thai be
redy under the said payne : and gif ony keip or persayvis ony schath
aperand to the tovne, or ony at duells in it, that thai mak warnyng vnder
the said payne.
Als, that nane haflF lord na lordschip othir na the king, the duke, and
the Erll of Marr, hot his aldirman and his baillies, under the said payne.
Als, qwatsumeuer has nocht his wapynnis redy, and beris thaim nocht,
sal tyne viii s., withoute remissioun, and prisone quill that viii s. be payit.
Als, that nane reset or herbry ony outduelland men, in thair hussis,
hot qwhame at thai will stand for, or ellis warn the officiaris als fast of thair
cummyn, vnder payne of lyffe and tynsale of gudis.
26th January, 1433.
Item, the said day, befor the alderman the baillies and mony of the coni-
moun consaill of the said burghe, comperit Williame Scherar, the quhilk
was adiournayit of before to prufe this day as law wald, that he had
assithit fuUely Lankyn Wist, raarchand of Brugis, the price of a bote of
Maluesye with twa uthir stikkis of wyne bocht be the said Williame fra
the said Lankyn ; and with the said Williame comperit alsua Thomas Blynd-
zele and Cristyne of Kynnore, burges of the said burgh, as proves of the said
payment of the said wyne. The quhilkis Thomas and Cristyne, eftcr the
o-ret athe be thaim bodelik swornyn, affermit and said that thai war present,
and for witnessis tane quhar that the [said] Lankin grantit before thaim that
he was fuUely assithit of the price of the said wyne, and that he was fullcly
content and paiit tharof eftir thair wittyng. Eftir the said proves, sawis,
and deposicionis, Richard of Rutherford, forspekar of the said Lankyn,
strekit a borch in Alexander of Kintoris hand, ane of the baillies of the
3 E
390 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
26th January, said burgh, to the neste Chamerlayn air, that the said prufe wes of na valu
^^^" becaus the pruvaris deponit nocht in forme of the rolement of the court
that the cause was eraste giffin out of, the quhilk borch the said Williame
Scherar reconterit richt thair.
I6th March, 1433.
Preposito et ballivis burgi nostri de Aberden
Rex
Freudis, as touchand the takyng doun of the houss pertenand to John
Blak, aboue your venale, because of passage, it is our will that ye super-
sede of the taking doun of the said hous quhill ye half forthir commandment
of vs. Vrittin under our seignet, at Striuelyn, the xvi day of Mars, and
of our regno twenty and aucht yer.
3c? February, 1434.
Subscripta statuta facta tempore itineris Camerarii tenti infra burgum de
Aberdene iil mense Februarii anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo
tricesimo quarto de communi consilio pro utilitate dicti burgi ordinata
fuerunt seruari et custodiri infra burgum predictum saltern usque proxi-
mura iter Camerarii ibidem tenendum
It is ordanit be the chamerlayn, the alderman, the baillies, and the con-
sail of the burgh of Aberdene, that na man na woman brew na sell ale fra
this hour furth derrar than four or sex penys, as it salbe prisit, undir the
payn of out takyng of thair ledis, and excludyng fray craft for yer and day,
and eschet of the ale.
Item, it is ordanit, that na baxtar brek the paiss that is giffin or salbe
giffin hym be the baillies, and quha sa dois, for the first defaut he sal pay
viii s., at the next tyme xvi s., and at the thrid tyme, the brede to be
eschet, and he to be putt on the pillary, and to be excludit fra his craft for
yer and day ; and thar atour ilk baxtar sal haf on his lofe his awn takyne,
that it may be kennyt by quha aw the lofe, and quhat baxter be conuict
thairof sal pay viii s. als oft as he trespassis.
Item, that quhat fleschar that beis conuict for brekyng of pece, or that
sellis flesch or it be prisit, at the fyrst tyme, sal pay viii s., alsmekil at the
tuthir tyme, and the thrid tyme the flesche to be eschet, and he to be ex-
cludit fra the craft for yer and day, and that na fleschar blaw flesch vnder
the payn of eschetyng of it.
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 391
Item, that na hukstar by thingis to sel agyn before xi houris of the day, 3ti February,
vndir the payn of eschet of the thing that scho biis ^■^^•
Item, that na man na woman pas out of the portis to by anything quhil
it be brocht on the market, vnder the payn of ane vnlaw and eschet of the
thing bocht.
Item that na bakar of kakis bake kakis to sell, vnder the payn of eschete
of the brede and banysing out of the toun for yer and day.
Item, that na fischar of sawmound sel fisch quhill he present tham to the
market, vnder the payn of viii s., and that he house nane hot thai be tane
vndir nycht, and on the morn brocht to the markete, vndir the samyn payn.
And quhar the baillies gerris nocht the poyntis before said be kepit, and
beis negligent in the execucioun hereof, and punyss nocht trespassouris as
is beforesaid, the baillies beand tayntit thar apon, thai salbe ordanit to the
kingis prisone, and ilkane of the baillies be thaim self in ten poundis to the
kyng, but remyssioun.
4th April, 1434.
Item Thomas Urafraisoun Adam Nicholsoun Walterus Giffard Ro-
bertus de Camera Robertus Gillespy senior Johannes Richardsoun Wil-
lelmus Matheusoun Johannes de Loudoun qui electi fuerunt ad assisam
et recesserunt de curia priusquam fuit curia debite finita eorum quilibet
in amerciamento curie adiudicantur pro trangressione sua ])redicta.
4th February, 1436.
Item, uterque predictorum Willelmi Lausoun et Willelmi de Lam-
byntoun posuit se in voluntate balliuorum de uno amerciamento curie pro
perturbatione ville
\Uh April, 1436.
Item eodem die Stephanus de Balrony comparens in curia exposuit quod
alias botha sua fuit de nocte fracta per Isabellam de Curtastoun et matrem
suam et diuersa bona sua per easdem furata prout inuentum fuit per scru-
tatores in domibus earundem protestando quod si contigerit ipsas Isabellam
et matrem suam recuperare remissionem regis non liceat ipsas alienare ter-
ras suas cuicunque nisi prius restitutio dictorum bonorum a dicto Stephano
furatorum fuerit facta
392 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
13th August. 13^A August, 1436.
^*^ Curia balliorum burgi de Aberdene tenta xiii° die Augusti anno etc.
xxxvi'° que curia tenta fuit propter sedacionem et castigacionem brigatorum
Quo die secta vocata et curia affirmata Gilbertus nauta adiudicatus in
amerciamento pro perturbatione Andree Michael et Christane de Feme
et tenetur emendare eisdem iuxta visum et ordinationem proboruin vi-
rorum ex utraque parte ad hoc eligendorum
\st October, 1436.
Curia capitalis burgi de Aberdene tenta in pretorio eiusdem die lune
primo die mensis Octobris die viz. iuridico post festum beati Michaelis
Archangeli anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo tricesimo sexto Quo
die sectis vocatis et curia affirmata coram fratribus gilde burgensibus et
tota communitate predicta fuit et palam lecta per communem clericum
quedam littera communi sigillo antiquo huius burgi patenter sigillata a
quadraginta duobus annis iam elapsis ex consensu totius communitatis
eiusdem burgi tunc confecta cuiusquidem littere tenor de verbo ad verbum
sequitur in hec verba :
" Omnibus hoc scriptum visuris vel audituris burgenses et communitas
de Abdene eternam in Domino Salutem vestra nouerit uniuersitas quod
nos unanimi consensu et assensu totius communitatis in nostro preto-
rio palam die lune post festum beati Michaelis Archangeli anno Domini
millesimo trecentesirao nonagesimo quarto ubi plena congregacio nostrorura
burgensium erat congregata tunc pro utilitate nostra assidue preuisa et pro
successoribus nostris in futuro tempore etiam considerata statuimus ordi-
nauimus et ratificauimus et per presentes imperpetuum in hunc modum sine
animo reuocandi approbamus duos depositores conseruatores distributores
ac nostros receptores nostri burgi conburgen. omnium pecuniarura nostra-
rum infra nostrum burgum vel extra duntaxat Item quod nuUus preposi-
tus se aliquomodo intromittat a confectione presentium ad suam disposi-
tionem de aliquibus pecuniis recipiendis vel etiam deliverandis ad commu-
nem bursam pertinentibus Sed duo depositores ad hoc per nos omni
anno eligendi et ad nostram voluntatem duraturi ut prescribitur in manibus
eorum bursam nostram communem habebunt et omni anno reddent nobis
compotum de omnibus receptionibus et deliverationibus per ipsos receptis
et liberatis Et hoc omnibus quorum interest vel interesse poterit notum
facimus per presentes In cuius rei testimonium sigillum commune nostri
burgi presentibus fecimus apponi anno mense die et loco supradictis."
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 393
3lst October, 1436. 31 st October,
Eodem die Johannes Robertsoun de Elgyne secundo die sepe vocatus ^^^'
responsurus magistro Johanni de Clatt canonico Crechmen. super plegio
alias extenso super dictum Johannera Robertsoun pro iniusta detentione
quatuordecim librarum ut prius in processu curie proximo precedentis
non comparuit Et ideo datur bedello burgi in mandatis quod capiat
[ ] de dicto Johanne et prerauniat eundem ad proximam curiam lega-
lem tanquam tertium diem huius processus
Item eodem die Jacobus Clerk balliuus burgi de Kyntor per com-
missionem dicti burgi replegiauit Patricium Umfraisoun burgensem de
Kyntor super quem alias Robertus Gillespy senior extendit plegium quod
dictus Patricius tenetur haymaldar equam quiquidem balliuus statuit diem
raartis ad quindenam ad tenend. legem dicto Roberto pleg. dicto balliuo de
Kyntor
lOth June, 1437.
Assisa ordinauit inter Johannem de Marr ex parte una et Andream
de Cullane ex parte altera quod dictus Johannes tenebit se contentum de
talibus denariatis quales dictus Andreas eidem Johanni liberauit Et pro
pecunia restante cum dicto Andrea prout patet in papiro dictus Andreas
liberabit tantum Wade eidem Johanni de tali pretio quali emit Wade in
Flandera et vendidit hie in pala ista ut dictus Andreas adiudicabitur in
amerciamento quod non perimpleuit cedulam dicti Johannis
1437.
Subscripta statuta et ordinationes facta fuerunt per commune consilium
burgi de Abdne. tempore prepositure Johannis de Fif conssentiente ad hec
maiore parte totius communitatis eiusdem
In primis quod tenor illius litere per totam communitatem facte a qua-
draginta quinque annis elapsis sigillate cum communi sigillo penes redditus
dicti burgi seruand. et custodiend. ac exponend. per certos depositarios
quolibet anno eligendos de cetero seruetur Ita quod nuUus prepositus se
intromittat aliquo raodo aut disponet de aliquibus pecuniis recipiendis vel
deliverandis ad communera bursam pertinen. una cum ceteris clasulis in
dicta littera contentis
Item quod nuUus aldirmannus seu balliuus aut aliquis officiarius burgi
394 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
1437. qui ad corapotum tenetur remaneat in officio suo ultra unum annum et
quod propositus prius infra xl dies post exitum suum de officio reddat
compotum suum de intromissione sua et soluet quicquid debuerit in pede
compoti sui super compotum absque dilatione quacunque alias nuncquam
ad dictum officium eligeretur nee quicunque balliuus aut alius officiarius
qui ad compota reddenda tenetur de bonis communitatis de nouo eligeretur
quousque satisfacerit dicto modo
Item quod nuUus Aldirmannus expendat de communibus bonis ultra
XX s. absque consensu raaioris partis communis concilii
Item quod balliui burgi qui pro tempore fuerint et nulli alii leuent aut
recipient firmas et redditus burgi communes et quolibet anno ante festum
beati Michaelis Archangeli reddant compota sua coram preposito et com-
muni concilio et soluant debita sua prout supra
Item quod omnes commissarii burgi mittendi ad parliamenta et concilia
regis generalia eligantur per totum commune concilium burgi et eorum
expense rationabiles per dictum concilium taxentur et ordinentur
Item quod nuUus firmarius terrarum molendinorum piscariarum aut
reddituum burgi detineat firmam per ipsum debitara usque suum ter-
minum usualem quo solui debeat dicta firma sub pena amissionis terre
piscarie aut alterius cuiuscunque redditus sibi assedati et quod licebit
balliuis qui tunc fuerint cum deliberatione communis concilii huiusmodi
terras piscarias sen alios redditus vicinis aliis assedare non obstante asse-
datione sibi facta sen ordinatione hucusquam in contrarium facta vel in
futurum facienda
28tk December, 1439.
Item xxviii die mensis Decembris anno Domini etc. xxxix""" per prepo-
situm et balliuos ac commune concilium Receptus fuit nobilis dominus et
potens dominus Robertus de Erskyne comes de Marr ac dominus de
Erskyne in liberum burgen. et confratrem gilde prestito solito juramento
exceptis illis de scot et lot wak et ward pro v s.
24th April, 1440.
On Sonday the xxiiii day of Aprile, the yer of grace etc. xl, Williame of
Cadiou fand lawborowes to corapeir in the tolbuth of Aberdene on the
morn on Mononnday as the said Sonday, withoutyn fraude or gyle, for the
OF THE BIJRGH OF ABERDEEN. 396
hurtyng of Robert of CuUace ; the quhilk Mononnday the courte affermyt 24th April,
the said Will, coraperit, and ane noble and mychte lord the Erie of Avan- ^'*^-
dale and the Constable, on the behalf of the said Robert, comperit and
askit the lawcht as thai did on the day befor. And than Sir Alexr. of
Irwyne knycht, forspekar to the said Williame, profferit that the said Wil-
liame suld acquite him be himself and otheris diners persones, that he wist
nocht that the said Robert was man to the said Erie, na to the said Con-
stable, na that he come to this toun in thair company. And attour for the
defaute that the said Will, had made to the saidis lordis Erie and Con-
stable, he put hym in thair grace, upon the quhilkis the said lord Erie
and Constable, sen the thing was greue, tuk to be avisit upon his prof-
feris, and with consent of partis it was differrit be the saidis lordis Erie
and Counstable, upon four dayes warnying, the said Wylliame to cora-
peir than befor the alderraann and ballzeis in like maner as he comperit
this Mononnday, hawand the force and effecte that day as this day but
fraude or gile. And at this suld be fulfillit be the said Williame and the
partis skathlace in the mentyme, Sir Alexr. of Irwyne is cummyn a
borch to the aldirraan and ballzeis And at the saidis Williame and Joh.
of Cadiou his cosyne sal be skathles of the saidis lord Erie and of the
said Constable and of the said Robert, and of thar pairtie, but fraude
or gile, the said Lord Erie and Constable arr becuramyn borowes to the
saidis aldirmann and ballzeis.
Jamys of Douglas of Avandale.
\3th Mai/, 1440.
Item eodem die per commune concilium concessum fuit Ricardo Kintor
tunc abbati de Boneacord unus burgensis futurus faciend. ad libitum suum
quandocunque ipsum presentauerit pro expensis suis factis et faciend. in
quodam ludo de ly Haliblude ludendo apud ly Wyndmylhill
I3th September, 1440.
Memorand. quod xiiii die mensis Septembris Dauid Farcharsoun receptus
fuit in liberum burgensem et confratrem gilde prestito solito juramento Et
dabat pro libertate sua ad edificationem porte in fine oriental! vici Castri
V marcas et residuum remittitur sibi ob fauorem doraini Johannis Smalee
et sororis eiusdem quara disponsauit.
396 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
18th Sept. I8th September J 1440.
Memorand. quod xviii die mensis predicti Johannes Ettale fuit receptus
in liber um burgen. huius burgi pro xx s. et ad requestum domini Willelmi
de Craufurd et Magistri Thome Edname canonicorum Abirdouen. ecclesie
receptus fuit etiam in confratrem gilde dabit que pro gilda ad fabricam
ecclesie beati Nicholai huius burgi quum super hoc fuerit requisitus
dimid. Rude de astlaris etc. et prestetit solitum juramentum etc.
17 th October, 1440.
Eodem die Gilbertus Meignes ex parte Simonis Horn et socii sui mer-
catores Londonien. petiit a preposito et balliuis et communitate licentiam
et liberum ac saluum conductum quod prefati mercatores possint salue et
secure laborare circa recuperationem bonorum suorum in portu euisdem
burgi periclitan. et ea vendere melius quopoterit et prius ea salue recedere
cum fuerint parati in partes suas sine quouis obstaculo vel impedimento
Qui propositi balliui et consules burgi ausiati dederunt et concesserunt
omnimodam licentiam in premissis et promiserunt eos defendere et manu-
tenere usque ad liberum recessura eorum de partibus istis.
I9th February i 1441.
Item eodem die ad instantiam litteralem domini Walteri Senli. railitis
de Strathoune balliui posuerunt in dilatione actionem motam inter Gil-
bertum de Tulach et Ricardum de Ruthirfurd in eodem statu in quo
nunc est usque ad curiam capitalem proximo post festum Pasche proximo
futurum.
23</ August, 1441.
Item, be the aviso of the haill counsaile for the commoune gude of the
hale commounytee of this burgh, it is statute, concludit, and ordanit, that
na fleschewaris, na nane vther man, nychtbour nor vnfreman, by ony maner
of fische quhill thai cum to the merkate ; and at na man by to tap agane
at a derth to the commownys ony maner of fische quhill the hight of the dai
be passit, vnder the payne of viii s. unforgiffin, and eschete of the fische
but favour.
Item, that na fleschewar raak [ ] nor by to sel agayne ony turbote,
as said is, bot thai sal haue for the brekyng of a turbote quhilk is bocht
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 397
within xii d., j d., and quhen it exceedis xii d., ii d., quhill it cum to ii s., 23d August,
and swa furth for ilke schilling i d., and he sal haue nane vther eschetis, ^'^^•
hot al sal be brokin to the biaris, vnder the payne forsaid.
Item, that na man tak on hand to by vitale mar na will suffice thar
housis to tap agayne at derth apon the coraraounys, and give ony nycht-
bour has vitale to sell, that thai tap it nocht in houss bot in the merkatt
playneli apon the merkat dai, vnder the payne of viii s. unforgiffin, and
eschete of sic gude but fawour.
I8th March, 1442.
It is sene spedfuU be the aldirraan, the bailzeis, the counsale, and the
raerchandis of Abden., that the Inglis schipe that is arestit be Willarae
Scherar, Dauy of Rutherfurd, Johnne Vocate, and Johnne of Kintor,
with the lave of thair falow schipe, be brocht in in the hawin, and be kepit
be the merchandis and schipemen of the said schipe under sourtie, quhill
we haue worde of our souerane king and his counsaile quhat his will is to
be donn in this mater.
27th April, 1442.
The samyn day, for the gouernance of merchandice, it was statut and
ordanit be the brethir of gilde, that na man by woll derar than vi s. viii d.
the stane ; and give ony man beis taynt byand woll derrar, in contrar of
this statute, he sal pay to the commone profite of this toun, but remissioune,
for ilk tyme that he beis taynt xl s.
Item, that na man by woll skynnis derar than x d., schorlinges vi d.,
scaldynes iii d., the dusane of lentrinwar viii d., the dusane of futfellis ii s. ;
and quhasa dois in the contrar sail, euery tym that he trespasses, pay, but
remissioune, vi s. viii d. to the commone werk and profite of this toune.
Item, the samyn day, Matheu Fichet, aldirman, become dettour til
Johne of Fife of four pounds fourtene schillingis, for reddyng of the balzeis
of the yer bypast, with ordinance and consent of the counsale.
23d June, 1442.
It is to mene apon, that the fift day of the moneth of Julii, the yer forsaid,
Dauid Hardgat, Dauid Dun, Robert Masoun, and Gilbert Masoun, oblist
thame ane as all, and all as ane, til a honourable knight, Sir Williame of
Lesly of Balchane, that thai sail fulfill and perfornyce his said werk efter the
3 F
398 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
23d June, tenour of the endentour made tharapon, betuex the said Sir Williarae and
^**^ Dauid Hardgat forsaid.
10th December, 1442.
Nicholaus Thomsoun primus testis juratus etc. dicit in suo juramento
that John of Troup and he and othir diuerss sat at the collatioun in Ma-
rioune Lialis house and the sammyn John of Troup rase up and yeid furth
diuerss tymes allane that sammyn tyme quhen Alexr. the Grahamys
beddyng was stolein And quhen Grahame myssit his gudes he stekit the
zet, and wad noght haue lattin hym in.
Patrick Johnsoun concords in al thing with the first, and eikis that he
herd a man say that lay in the house ^uhar the said John of Troup, that
fra mydnycht furth he was oute in the toun quhill day.
John of Skene, the third witnes, concordis in all thing with the secunde
witnes.
Marioune Liale, the feird witnes, concordis with the lave, &c.
I4th October, 1443.
Item, Alexr. Lammyntoun in amerciamento curie pro eo quod vendidit
carnes aliter quam fuerint appretiate etc.
llth January, 1444.
Item, eodem die assisa ordinauit et inuenit et decreuit quod Umfredus
Craufurd inuiste lucratus fuit et tenet a Laurentio Hoie Ricardo Ruthirfurd
Is. et satisffaciet eidem infra terminum juris et est in amerciamento curie
Item, eadem assisa dixit quod Willelmus Quhite sutor fouet in domo sua
et receptat lusores malorura ludorum in dampnum venientium ad istum
burgura quare precipitur sibi quod decetero de talibus non communicatur
aut inde iusta queririmonia non audiatur sub pena exulationis ab isto burgo
^Ith July, 1444.
It is to remembir, that John of Lowdoun strekit a borch that the prwft"
that Johne Mathisone mad on hym til ansuer til a breflf of richt til Johne
Crukshank, apon a pess of land, as is contenit in the breff of richt, viz.
Theman and Thom, of [ ], as onlachfwll prewis ; and Gilbert
Menzes, forspekar to John Crukshank, recontirit that borch with hys
awayis that thai war lachfull ; and becawss of febilness of the cwrt the
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 399
ballzeis putt the cawss in delay, withowtyn preiudice of perty, till the law 27th July,
dayis eftir Michelmess. ^^^•
Richard of Rutherford oftsyss callit til folow Johne Patovnson til fynd
borch and hawmald of a horss, comperit, and therfor the said Johne strikit a
borch [ ] he ever festenit with new soyt.
Alsua the baillies has put ane delay till the law day efter Michelmess the
accioun betwene the balleis of Monross and William Banerman, in sic ply
as it now is, vittout prejudice of ony perty.
17 th November^ 1444.
It is to remembir, that on the xvii day of Novembir ther wes presentit be
Mastir Thomas of Eddynhame to the alderman and to the balleis letteris
of inhibitioun fra the quene and the bisschop of Sanct Androwis, and ther
ennardance, that na paymantiis suld be made of na revenowis pertenand to
the king to tha persownis that nw has the kyng in gouernance.
20th November f 1444.
It is to remembir, that of Friday, the xx day of Nouember, Johne The
Wauss, than aldermane, gert inquer at the gud men of the towne, than
beand in the tolbuith, gif the letter suld be cryit of inhibitioun of the kingis
rewenous, send be the quene and the bisschop of Sanct Androis, and thar
the gud mene of gef in comandraent to the said alderman that that letteris
suld nocht cryt no obeyit qwil it war sene qwat ordenance war made thair-
apon be the thre estattis.
23c? November, 1444.
It is to remembir, that the Bisschop of Ross present a lettir to the
ballzeis of the burghe in this fowrm, the xxiii day of November : James,
be the grace of God kyng of Scottis, to the alderman and balleis of our
burgh of Aberden gretyng : It is our will and we chargis and wyllis ye
difFend and supple a reuerend fadder in Crist, the bisschap of Rosse, in the
tak of the half net of the Rake as law willis, giflP it sua be that he makkis
sufficiand document that he has richt tharto, and this on na way leffis on
doun. Gifwyn onder our signet at Strifflyne, the xi day of Nouember, and
of our regn the sevynt yer.
2lst February, 1446.
X Xi*° die mensis Februarii anno Domini supradicto ex dehberatione com-
400 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
2ist February, munis consiUi et partis gilde concesse sunt quatuor libre usualis monete ad
^■"^ supportationem et releuationem magistri Andree Croudane nati confratris
gilde huius burgi pro labore suo circa predicationem et doctrinara populi
huius burgi et hoc durante voluntate consilii supradicti.
15^^ February, 1448.
Iter Camerarii
Inchoat. per Alexandrum Narn et Johannem Lummysden deputatos
Camerarii Scocie xv die Februarii anno Domini j™ iiii'= xlviii" quo die
sectt. :
[Assisa septemdecim virorum burgi electa fuit]
Robertus Stephin tenetur satisfacere Willelmo Lmyntoun unum sar-
pellarium in quo ponebantur pelles infra terminum juris plegio Gilberto
Vaus.
Willelmus Voket deliberavit Roberto Blyndseil unara bipenne argentat.
in [ ] manibus venientem de Flandria sub periculo ejusdem Roberti
vel valorem ejusdem bipenne pleg.
Robertus Stephin satisfaciet ad fabricam ecelesie beati Nicholai iiii s.
gret infra terminum juris.
Willelmus Banerman tenetur satisfacere Jonete Girkin v s. infra ter-
minum juris et si maritus ejusdem Jonete non reveniat citra festum Pente-
costes proximo futurum dictus Willelmus satisfaciet eedem Jonete residuum
V florenorura de Reno pleg.
Th. Cadiou satisfaciet Johanni Rede carnifici ii s. et ipse deliberabit
sibi cultellum suum argentatum pleg.
Robertus Prat faciet computum infra terminum juris cum Angusio John-
stoun de iiii lib petit, per eundem aliter erit debitor tocius summe plegiis
Georgio Adamsoun et Thoraa Camera. Gilbertus Massoun satisfaciet
domino Johanni Pettynwyne xii s. pleg.
Andreas Dauidsoun fatetur se debere Thome Cadiou de iii s. vi d.
Maister Johnn of Cadyou grantis that he borrowit a hors fra Robin
Scberar, the quhilk hors the said Maister lent to Rechart of Kintor.
Memorandum, that the balyheis of eer farnyher and farnyher sal, apon
Friday next to cum, that is to say the xxvii of Februar next to cum, be
viii houris befor none, sal comper in the tolbuth of this burghe, and deliuer
in thir accomptis of thir twa yheris bigane, and underly the determinacioun
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 401
of thir auditouris vndervrittin, that is to say, Duncane of Clat, dene of i-^th Fei.iuary.
gild, Johnne of Marr, Matheu Fichet, Alexander of Kintor, and Patrick ^^^^
Badenach ; and gif ther beis in thar accomptis ony gret weris or doutis
thai sal referr that to be endit be the haile counsaile.
Item, it is ordanit that ix or x of the best of the toune sal pass with a
parte of the gangand assis and see the venales and otheris fautis and
perprisis of the toune, and quhar thai fynd perpriss merke it and put in
writ, and charge thame to reforrae it within xi dais, and forberne vnder
payne of perprisioune of the king, and thir personis to be chosin be the
alderman and balvheis.
Item, the houssis that ar fundin unsufficient be the assis sal be refurmyt
be tham at aw tham within viii daiis, or ellis the balyheis sal pass and tak
doune the durris and wyndowis of thaira, and mak thaira uninhabitable.
Item, it is avisit and concludit be counsaile, anent the payment of the
rest of the aid fynance, the quhilk extendis be appoyntment to ii'= lib., that
al sumes written in the roll, bath recouerable and unrecouerable, be sowmyt
be punde grete, and ilke punde grete be put til a certane some of Scottis
payment eftir, as it may extend to pay the said ii*' lib., and than ilk man
that is awand recouerable sal pay eftir that tax, and than it that remanys
unrecouerable of the said ii*^ lib. salbe paiit be the haill toun eftir the aviss
and sicht of the counsaile.
Malcolmus Forbes, Dauid Dun, and Dauid Heruy, accusit of the dis-
obeying of Andrew Alanson, the balyhe, that wald noght find borowes of
pess quhen he chargeit thaim, deniit the disobeying, and swa it was put to
ane assis : that is to say, Andrew Tulidef, Duncane of Clat, Matheu
Fichet, Robert of Chamer, Henry Levyngtoun, Wat GifFart, Alexr.
Blindseil, Johne Scherar, Mathou Glastre, Dauid Symsoun, Andrew Ayn-
croft, and William Holland ; the quhilk avisit, resplaitit this quhil thai be
forthir avisit with men of law, and becaus the said partie allegit that thai
suld noght find borrowes, bot give thair pairtie wald sever that thai doutit
thaim thai fynd that bil broght up, and thai will that it be nocht allegeit in
tym to cum be ony man, vnder payne that may folow.
David Rutherfurd in amerciamento curie pro injusta spoliacione navis
Dauid Dun de vno cable et restituet idem cable.
402 EXTRACTS FBOM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
15th February, David Rutherfurd dedit Robertum de Camera plegium legale pro eo
1*^- et parte sua quod Malcolmus de Forbes Dauid Dun and Dauid Heruy et
partes sue erunt indempnes aliter quam per viam juris.
Et dictus Malcolmus dedit Willelmum Scherar [plegium] legalem quod
David Rutherfurd erit indempnis ut supra et partes sua tota.
[Fin. extract, de actis Itineris Camerarii.]
7tk November i 1449.
In the firste, that na merchand man of this burgh opin his both dorr to
do ony merchandise, outhir sell or by, apon the Sondai, under the payne of
a punde of wax, or the valu of it, to be rasit be the dene of the gild, of ilk
faute unforgiffin, and to be appliit to the kirkwerk.
Item, that the dene of the gild see bayth be scirscheying and inquisitioun,
and punyce rigorously, and but favour, all thaim that in henderyng of mer-
chandiss schapis, and barkis, or barkis nocht beand gilde, othir waiss than
the law levis.
Item, that he punyss the skynnaris that biis skynnis to pluk or to mak
merchandiss of othir waiis than the law levis and the statut of the gilde.
Item, that na man by talch mar than may suffice his houss, or mak mer-
chandiss of it, under the payne of eschete of it to the commoune profite, and
viii s. unforgiffin, in tyme to cum ; and it at is boght in tyme bygane, that
the aldirman and the dene of the gild passis to thair houssis that has bocht
it, and gerr it be deliuerit to the commounis be the sammyn price that it
was boght.
Item, that the dene of gilde punyss forstallaris of this burgh, als weile free
men as othirs within the burgh or withoute, eftir the aid actes and statutis
mad thairapon, but favour, and at he inquir and accuse sic forstalling ilke
XV daiis in the gilde courte ; and that nothir the aldirman na he componis
na fyue with ony forstallaris withoute avyss and wytting of sex persounes,
at the leest, of counsaile, and the clerk.
Item, give the dene of gild beis negligent in the executioun and punys-
4
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 403
yng of thir forsaid statutis, and he be convicte be the aldirman and coun- 7th November
saile thairapon, he sal pay the samyn unlaw and payne that the fautouris ^^^^
suld haue paiit, to be raisit of him be the aldirman unforgiffin.
Item, that the balyheis keip the actis made before the Chawmerlayne,
the yher of grace, &c., xxxiiii last bigane, anente the assise of brede and
ele and flesche, and othiris, under the paynis contenyt in the samyn actis,
and at the aldirman accuse thaim tharapon, and punyss thaim as afFeris.
30^^ December, 1453.
The last day of the moneth of December, the yher of God j" iiii'^ fiftie
and thre, Dauid Dun fand Andrew Meignes, and Dauid Heruy fand
Richard of Kintor, borrowes to compeir be them selfF or thair sufficient
procuratouris at the nixt law daiis efter Pasche next to cum, in tolbuth of
this burghe, befor the Lievtenant or his deputis, and the alderman and
counsaile of this burghe, to the instance of George Adamsone and Johne
Patersoun, for certane gudis takin fra thame in Scarburgh in Ingland, to
ansueir and underlie the law.
The first day of Mali comperand Dauid Dun and Dauid Hervy on that
a partie, and John Patounson and George Adamsoun on that othir partie,
becauss it was a festuale dai thai consentit that the mater and causs de-
pendand amangis thaim, as is befor writtin, be continewit in sic like pli as
it was on that dai, to Monoundaii the xiii dai of this instant moneth of
Maii next to cum, but preiudice of ony pairtie, and thair borowes standand
as thai did befor. At the quhilk day, the forsaid Andrew Meignes and
Richard Kintor borowes befor the alderman and consaile, and befor Ranald
Chene, pretenand him depute to the Lievtenand, enterit the said David Dun
and David Heruy personali, and dischargit tham of the said borowgang.
Neuertheless, the said principales, David Dun and David Hervy, wald
noght admit the said Ranald as depute to the Lievtenand, becauss he schew
na letteris of the lordis thareapon, na he wald noght find caucion and
sourete that the lord Lievtenand suld hald ferme and stable quhat the said
Ranald did or was done before in this mater, &c.
\Oth March, 1454.
The samyn dai, the acion movit betuix Williame the Haia on that a
t
404 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
\o\h March, part, aud Theman, goldsmyth, on that othyr pairt, of xxi vnche of siluer,
^^^- and a drame of gold and ane cors of gold, was put to the determinacioun
of thir personys vnder wryttyne, with consent of baith the parties, as chosin
arbitrouris, or amicable componitouris : that is to say, Andrew Ayncroft,
Patrik Badenach, Williame RoUand, Johne Blendseil, and Johne of Mar,
the quhilkis determynit and ordanit at the said Theman suld deliuer till
hym xxi vnche of gud siluer, within terme of law, and thai resplatit the
said soume of gold to the nowraer of vi nobillis, till thai spek with Androw
Child aud Thome of Croudane ; and, as anence the litil corss at his wyf
deliuerit to Theman, the said Theman sal deliuer the samyn corss till his
wyfe agayn, scho payand till him the handlane of it, gif it be unpayit :
borch Alexr. of Chawmer, befor thyr witness, Thom of Fif, John of Waus,
and Patrik Chapman.
I6th January^ 1455.
Xvi'° die mensis Januarii anno Domini etc. Iv'" omnes confratres gilde
huius burgi auisate concesserunt et deliverauerunt quod fiat una propina
raonete domine nostre suppreme Regine nunc in primo aduentu ipsius ad
istam villam Et quod fiat et extendat ad summam centum marcarum pro
qua vero summa sumenda consenserunt omnes prefati confratres gilde quod
fiat assedatio aquarum terrarum et prouentium huius burgi ad certum
terrainum ad visum proborum virorum ad hoc specialiter eligendorum Et
eligerunt personas infrascriptos viri Johannem de Scrogis filius Johannem
de Fife Johannem de Marr Duncanum de Clat Matheum Fichet Willelraura
Rolland Johannem Howisoun Johannem Stephinsoun et Johnnem Andre-
soun Que supradicte persone habebunt sufficientem commissionem sub
sigillo communi ad assedand. piscarias terras et redditus burgi ut premit-
titur.
2c?i¥ay,'l546.
Secundo die mensis Septembris anno Domini etc. lvi*° the maisteres of
the schippes and quarter maisteres, and the commoune counsaile and a
grete part of the gild, consentit that thar be viii persounes chosin to de-
liuer ane auise the best waiis anente the demanyng, handeling, or deliuer-
ance of the schipmen and gudes of Camfeer, takin be the nyghboris of this
toune, and to provide that the toune be scathlas of the taking of the said
schip, and thir ar the persounes underwrittin : Johne of Fife, Andro
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 406
Meignes, Johne Marr, Johne of Scrogs pater, Andro Culane, Ric. Kintor, 2d May.
Matheu Fichet, and Robt. Wormot. i^^-
1*^ October^ 1456.
The quhilk hour forsaide, Alexander Blenseile comperyt in the tolbuith
and askit the said Will, of Ryne, Betty Stevinsoun, and Thomas Harpar,
to produce lauchful witness at he had geffin tham licens and leve to pas
quhar thai walde, as the act thar upon beris witnes ; the quhilk personis
failzeit in thar previs produsyng, hot thai askit at the said Alexander Blend-
seil wald sueir at he gaif thame na leve, and thai suld sve hym til thar terme
dai. The quhilk Alexr. denyit, and said he wald nocht sueir in his awyn
causs ; and than Dauid Meignes, forspekar to Will, of Ryne, askit hym to
borch to do til Alexr. Blendseil at law wald ; the quhilkis was giffin hym be
Malcolme of Forbes, juge in the said causs.
23rf April, 1460.
The xxiii dai of the moneth of April, the yher of God i"" cccc Ix, it was
ordanit and statut, that na induellande of this burgh, na without burgh, tak
in wed ony gudis that Wat Cutlaris wife bryngis for ony penyworthis oythir
than dry siluer, becauss at scho is knawin a strawer of her husbands gudis ;
and quhasa euer dois, thai sal restoir the gudis to the said Wat withoutyn
impediment, and nocht to be assichit for thare penny worthis.
%th February, 1463.
The samyn assis has ordanyt Alexander Rollande to stent and pay to
Thome Reburne v s. vi d., the quhilk he tuke fra him in wisling of a farthing
of an Inglis nobill that is fundin be thai nocht lachfull na sufficiande, nother
to wirk na for na richtwiss payment within lauchful tyme, and to resaive
the ferthing fra him agayn, for the quhilk he is jugit in amercyament of this
curt for the wrangwis balden of the seme fra the saide Thome of Reburne.
\Qth January, 1469.
The xvi day of Januar, the yer of God Ixix yer, Philip of Drumbreck,
ane of the serjiandis of this burgh, has put in the merkat to sell, a gray
horss of Johne Fichattis Mathowsoun, quhilk is tane in astrasiment of pay-
ment of a Hamburgh barel of salmond acht till Will of Mernys, baxtar, and
3 G
406 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
16th January, thar is bodin for him xii s. as for the fyrst day, befor thir witnes, Johne
^*®- of Knollis, bailye, Cristy, litstar, and Duncane of Birss.
I9th January i 1469.
The xix day of the forsaide moneth, Johne of Tulydeff, ane of the ser-
jiandis of the said burgh, put the fornemit horss in the merkat to sell, and
thar was biddin for him xx s., befor thir witnes, Richarde of Hill, Thome
Malitesoun, and Alexr. of Scrogis.
24<A January, 1469.
The xxiiii day of the said moneth of Januar, the yer of God, &c.,
the saide Philp of Drumbrek, serjiande, put the forsaide horss in the mer-
kat to sell, and thar was biddin for him that day xiii s. iiii d. ; witnes,
Duncane of Birss, and Androw Watkin, befor Johne of Knollis, the
bailze.
28^A January, 1469.
The xxviii day of the saide moneth, the forsaide Philp of Dumbrek,
serjiande, put the said horss in the markate to sell, and thar was biddine
for hyme that day, as the ferde day ante specifeit, with Edmunde Baner-
man, Dnncane of Birss, Androw Atkin, and be thair aithis suorne, xxvi s.
befor thar witnes, Androw Scherar, and Johne of Knollis, bailzeis, Willem
Malitesoun, Androw Haldane, and Duncane of Lammyntoun ; and of this
soume giffin the oflBciar xii d. for his labour, and for the horss costs
iii oukis, iii s., and sua restis unpayit of the xl s. for the barell of salraonde
aucht to William of Memys, xviii s.
\Mh January y 1474.
Curia balliuorura tenta in pretorio xiii die Januarii anno predicto, the
quhilk day, William of Setoune was accusit for the wrangwise strublance
of William Cadiou, cumand apon him in forthocht felony, and in breking of
law borrowis tayn betuix thame of befor ; the quhilk chalance the said Wil-
liam of Setoune denyit, sayand that he was nocht under law borrowis anent
the said William of Cadiou. Apone the quhilk accusatione and denyance
he referrit him til ane assise of the best and worthiast present for the tyme ;
the quhilk assise beand swome, the saidis parteis schauand thair avarments
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 407
to the assise, in presence of the aldirman, bailzes, and the hail court, the I3th January,
said William of Setoune said that he was nocht under law borrowis ; to the ^*^^-
quhilk Alexr. Menzes answerit, sayand that the said William of Setoune
had fundin law borrowis, anent the said William of Cadiou, baith to the
aldirman and baillies of this toune, and before the king and the lordis of
counsal ; and thairapon the said William avisit, come before the court and
keist downe his hat, proflFerand him to fecht in the said querel ; apon the
quhilk the said Alexr. Menzes askit ane testimonial of the court how that
he manasit and prouokit him, sayand that it nedit nocht, na that he wald
nocht fecht in the said querel, sen that it mycht be determyt be the law and
the assise ; the quhilk assise, riply avisit, fand and deliuerit that the said
William of Setoune had strublit William of Cadiou apon forthocht felony,
under law borowis ; for the quhilk strublance he was adiugit in amerciament
of the court, and the said William of Cadiou quite of all strublance of the
said William of Setoune.
17 th February, 1474.
The xvii of Februar, the yer, &c., Ixxiiii, it is ordanit and decretit be
the aldirman and the consel underwrittin, that the commoune seil and the
secret seil salbe deliuerit frely to the aldirman that beis chosin for the tyme
and to the counsall yerly fra thine furth, apon the Friday next eftir that
the aldirman be chosin, and to be deliuerit agane at thare wil in keping to
quhom that plesis thaim best ; and that na letter salbe selit fra thine furth
witht the common seil, hot at the sycht of the aldirman and the hail consel,
and thir ar the namys of the forsaid counsel, Alexr. of Chaumer, &c.
2d May y 1475.
The second day of Mali, the yer of our lord m. iiii" Ixxv yeris, it was
ordanit, endit, and concludit be the aldirman and certane persons of coun-
sel, of the quhilkis the names eftir followis, that the ofFerand, and all uthirs
offerandis to cum, that fallis apon the Rude dayis, sal be diuidit propor-
tionaly and evinlie betuix the chaplane of the Rude altar and the chaplane
of the Browne croice altar, quhat evir thai be for the tyme, and that nothir
of the chaplanis of the Rude altar or of the Browne croice altar sal haue
singlare proflfite til ony of thaim, bot that all gudis that ar offerit in the
tyme sal be diuidit evinlie and rychtwisly yraangis thaim. Thir ar the
names of the counsel that war present in the tym, Alexr. of Chaumer, aldir-
408 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
2d M»y, man, &c. Apon the quhilk deliuerance and decrete Sir Androw, the son
^*^^- of quhilum Thomas Anderson, chaplan of the Rude altar, tuke, in the
tyme of the deliuerance, fra Sir Robert Leis, public notar, ane instrument,
in the vestry of the parish kirk of Aberden, befor the personis forsaid, or
the maist pairt of thaim : And that this decrete and deliuerance sould nocht
be reuokit nor gain callit for the tyme of the saidis chaplanis, uther of Sir
Alexr. Club, chaplane of the Browne croice altar, and of Sir Andro,
chaplan of the Rude altar, no nor eftir thare tyme, hot perpetualy til
indure.
2eth April, 1477.
The xxvi dai of Aprile, yer of God m cccc Ixxvii yeris, comperit Androw
Fresal, the fader of umquhile Alexander Fresale, burges of Aberden,
in the towbuthe of that Ilk, and grantit him til haue ressauit fra Andro
Scherar, alderman of Aberdene, and Sir Alexander Voket, executouris
til vmquhile the said Alexander Fresale, thir gudis vndirwrittin : In the
first, a dusan of Eistland buyrdis ; item, fyve boUis of salt and thre firlotis,
ane tome Hamburgh barel, and a fat made of a Malvasy bote ; item, tuelf
mvd keling, and threttene mvd codlingis, fourtene Inglis coppis, and a [ ]
fat, thre peckis of lynget, and thre pekkis of hemp sede, foure stupis, ane
vly barel, a poke, threttene knappold ; and to the laird of Pitslego, on
Andrew Fresales behalf, the petis that war prisit fouretene schillingis ;
and to Andro Fresalis wif, ane Inglis cop, ane pair of schetis, ane nop
bed, a bowster, twa gownys, thre hand axis, a brogit staf, a litil ankyr,
a gyrdil, a bakbrede, a brewyne fat, a hemmyr stand, a bukket, and a
gybbate that it hang by, foure tynnyn spunys, his best bate ; item, a hat,
a bonet, a doublate, a par of hoiss, twa par of schetis, a jak, ten s. of
siluer, and sextene s. and aucht d., gevin to the Abbot of Arbroath, for
the annuel of the houss that the said Andro occupyit and inhabite, &c.
25th August, 1478.
Curia burgi de Abirden tenta in pretorio coram balliuis eiusdem xxv
die August! anno etc. Ixxviii" Quo die comparen. in judicio nobili viro
Alexandro Setoune de Meldrum ex una et Roberto Dogude de Achna-
hufe ex altera partibus que quidem partes ostenderunt unum publicum
instrumentum signo et subscriptione Willelmi Keir presbitri Brechinen.
dioceseos notarii publici una cum sigillo prouidi viri Johannis Scrymgeour
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 409
dicti Jak roboratum et sigillatum de et super terris de Balkairne cum per- 25th August,
tinen. ac aliis terris in eodera instrumento expressatis de quibus Elizabeth ^*^^'
de Balkairne mater dicti Roberti Dogude ipsum infeodauit tam in feodo
quam in libero tenemento earundem quam infeodationera Alexr. Hay
sponsus dicte Elizabeth approbauit ratificauit et confirmauit in plena curia
coram balliuis burgi de Dunde mediante magno juramento quod nunquara
deueniret contra huiusmodi infeodationem et resignationem dicto Roberto
factas ut in huiusmodi instrumento plenius continetur Quod quidem in-
strumentum dictus Alexander Seton petiit a dictis balliuis transumi ac
transumptum sibi desuper distinctura super quibus dicti balliui mature
auisati eorum decreto interposito transumptum eidem decreuerunt sub
forma publica eorum sigillis sigillatum Testibus Alexandro Gordon de
Megmar Patricio Gordon de Meithlick Roberto Blindsel uno balliuorum
Willelmo Blindsel seniore Magistro Johanne Hay Rectore de Crowdane et
domino Roberto Leis notario publico cum multis aliis.
The same day, personaly comperit in plane court, before Wilzam the
Hay, and Androw Branche, tua of the bailzeis of Abirden, Wilzame
Fichet, burges of the said burgh, and resignit purely and simply, and gaf
owir, be the gefine of a wand in the handis of Androw Branch, ane of the
balzeis forsaid, the frank tenement of al and sindrie the landis, croftis, and
annuale rentis that pertenyt til him, of the quhilkis he infeft and possessit
Jonet Fichet, his doghter, lang tyme of before, togidder witht all rycht and
clame of rycht that he had, has, or may haf therof in tyme to cum, in fauor
of the said Jonet Fichet his doghtre, and of his gude sone in law Thomas
Symsone hir spouss, thai beand present, the quhilk beand done, the said
Androw Branche, baize, the frank tenement of al and sindre the saidis
landis, croftis, and annuel rentis, and all rycht and clame of rycht of the
said William Fichet, as forsaid is, purely and simply gaf to the said Jonet
Fichet and Thomas Syrason hir spouss, be the deliuering of the said wand,
til thaim and ilk ane of thaim in takyne tharof, nochtwithstanding the said
Jonet Fichets richt gevin til hir of before ; the quhilk the said Wilzam hir
fader ratifiit and approvit, and for the mare habundans and securite ratifiis
and approvis be this present write; wpon the quhilkis Thomas Symson, for
him and his said spouse, askit ane testimoniale to be made, vnder the seelis
of the saidis balzeis, before thir witness, Gilbert of Chaumer, Alex. Trail,
410 EXTRACTS PROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
25th August, James of Kyntor, Mawnus Wormot, John Fichet yungar, Allan Smytht,
^■*^^ and Philp of Drumbrek serjiand, witht utheris diuerss.
2d September^ 1478.
The second day of Septembre, the consale and merchandis of this burgh
beand gaderit witht the alderman in the tolbuth, has consentit til the
sendyng of ane ambaxiat fra our souerane lord to the Duke of Burgunzie,
for the gude of merchandiss. And at the command of our souerane lordis
lettres, thai haf ordanit that v personis of worthy burgesses of the toun,
sal pass witht the aldirman, to be in Edinburgh the vii day of this instant
moneth, to avise witht our souerane lordis consall, and the commissaris of
utheris viii burrowis, wpon the sending of the said ambaxiate, and that certane
taxis salbe made and rasyt, to pay the expenssis of the aldirman and of the
personis that sal pass witht him, and to pay rychtswa to the contributioun
of our souerane lordis ambassate, as siclike burrowis of the realm sal do
for the causs forsaid.
2lst May, 1479.
The samyn dai, the consale and brethryn of gilde beand present for the
tym, has consentit and ordanit the alderman to mak the expensis and costis
of the comon gude apon the arayment, and uthris necessaris, of the play to
be plait in the fest of Corpos Xristi nixttocum.
22c? June, 1480.
Curia tenta in pretorio burgi de Aberdene per balliuos eiusdem xxii die
mensis et anni predictorum quo die Dauid Hil burgen. dicti burgi accu-
satus de inobedientia et iniusta perturbatione Philippi de Drumbrek unius
serjiendorum faciendi officium suum et de iniusta fractione unius crathere
argentee venerabili viro magistro Johanni Hay rectori de Crowdan per-
tinentis negauit dictam calumpniam Unde leuata fuit assisa proborum
burgen. infrascriptorum viz. : Alexandri Rede Alexandri Howisoun Dauid
Symsoun Gilberti Waus Johannis Wormot Willelmi Hay Alexandri
Nachti Andree Murray senioris Edmundi Hay Johannis Litstar Willelmi
Andree Dauid Galychtlie et Jacobi Kennerty Qui jurati et diligenter
ac mature auisati dixerunt quod Dauid Hil reus erat et conuictus de ac-
tionibus prenotatis Et pro perturbio serjiendi et fractione crathere adiu-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 411
dicatur in duobus amerciamentis curie et emendare dampnum ut jura 22dJune,
volunt Et in parte emendere assisa ordinauit quod dictus Dauid dabit ^'*^'
unam petram cere ad missam sancti sanguinis.
I9th July, 1480.
The xix dai of Julii, the yer, &c., Ixxx, in the court haldin in the tol-
buthe of Abirden be Thomas Prat, ane of the balzeis of the samyn, Johne
Besat, duelland in Montross, chalansit Androw Atkin as he that hyrit a
meyr of his, and Androw Murra yungar, for the spilling and hurting of hir
in the ryding of hir, throw the quhilkis he wants his mere, and that the
saids persons acht til wpricht and assich him for hir. The quhilk wes pre-
sent to the decisioun and knawlage of a sworn assise, the quhilk assise,
riply avisit, fand and deliuerit, be Richard Hill, forspekar of the assise,
that the saidis Androw Atkyn and Androw Murray had done that thai
acht to do anent the hyring and ryding of the said mere, declarand thaim
quyte of the said Johannis chalance tweching the said meyr.
1481.
The quhilk dai, as anent the actioun and causs movit betuix my lady of
Huntle and Androw Wentoune, twiching the clame and debate of v pipe
of wad clamit be the said lady, the said Androw, beand riply avisit, has re-
ferrit this actione aluterly to ray lord of Huntle and my lady, and to thare
gude gracis, and to quhat persons plesis thaim to tak to thaim and to thair
willis.
7 th November, 1481.
The aldirman, counsel, and communite of the burgh of Abirdene, the
communitie gadrit throw the warning of the belman, ryply and weill avisit,
with ane assent, nane sayand the contra, has deliverit and ordinyt, becaus
that Robert Elect afirmat of Abirdon, has schavine hym vnkindly in the
restriction of the second tend of Abirdene, quhilk is gevine be his prede-
cessor, Bishop Thomas Spens, quhom God assolye, to the biging of the
quer of Abirdene ; the forsaid alderman, counsel, and communite, has de-
cretit, deliverit, and ordinyt, that nane neighbour duelland within the said
burgh sal mak na firraas to the said Robert Elect, na yet to nane of his
factoris on his behalf; and quhatever he be that dois in contrar of this act,
[he] sal tyne his fredom, and his tak sal walk, and incontinent be disponit
412 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
7th November, at the will and sycht of the alderman, counsel, and communitie of the said
^*®^" burgh, but ony faworis.
Slst January^ 1483.
The samyn dai, in a fenssit court haldin be the bailies, Wil Lauchlane,
callit to comper before the bailies, as he was oblist be his hand and gude
faith til ansuer and underly the law, at the instance of the partie com-
plenzand for the wrangwiss strublance and hurting of Johne Blacks wif,
and for strublans of the toune, and for the public offens done be him to the
said Johne and his houshald and famile, comperit nocht ; quharappon the
bailies and counsel avisit, the trespass considderit, and the coramittar tharof
beand fugitive fra the law, thai haf decretit, witht consent of the communite,
and ordanit to be made manifest be oppin proclamation, that fra thine furth
na man nor woman, within the said burgh duelland, tak upon hand to
house, herbry, or reset the said Wil Lachlan, in privay or in apert,
under the pane of bannising fra this burgh ; and gif of fors he wald enter
or herbry in ony hous within the said burgh, thai nocht beand of power to
resist him, that the maister of that house incontinent cum or send thare
servand at the leist, til the officeris of the toune, and warn thaim thairof,
that thai may provide for remede as efferis, under the pain and charge
forsaid.
bth February, 1483.
The V dai of Februar, yer of God &c. Ixxxiii, comperit in the court, be-
fore the bailies, Robert Heryn, on the behalf of a nobil and mychty lady,
the Countas of Huntly, and askit payment fra Dauid Hil, burges of Abir-
den, of xix lib. and x s. of Scottis money, in faute of payment of thre lib.
g. and V s. g. of the monee of Flanderis, acht til Malcum Mowat, as is
contenit in ane act of appointment producit thairuppon, be ressoun of assig-
natioun of the said soume made to the said lady, and than the certification
schawin and red of the defaute of payment of the said soume of Flanderis
money, Philp of Drumbrek, serjiand, at the command of the bailies, layd
wand on Dauid Hil, and chargit him to remayn in the tolbuthe quhil he
content and pait the soume forsaid to the Countas of Huntly as assigna
tharof, or hir factouris.
\1th February, 1483.
The xvii dai of Februar, yer of God Ixxxiii, in the tolbuthe, before the
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 413
bailies and counsel, comperit Alexr. Leslie of Wardris and clamit the I7th Februaiy,
toune of xiii merkis acht yerly of the tua last yeris bigane be the toune til ^'^^•
our souerane lord, and til him as ressauor in the tyme of the ferrnes of this
burgh ; of the quhilks twa yeris, James Lesly grantit him, and oblist him
be his landis and gudis to warrand, releve, and keip scathtles the said burgh
and bailies of the samyn, of xiii merkis for a yer, in the quhilk he bare office
of aldirmanschip. Witnes heirof Alexr. Menzes, Alexr. Rede, Gilbert
the Vans, Androw Branche, Wilzam Moyses, and utheris diuerss.
I5tk March, 1483.
The XV dai of Marche, yer forsaid, in the court haldin by the bailies in
the tolbuthe, comperit Henry Bawne, and grantit him to haf resauit fra
Johne the Vaus, on the behalf of Androw Galichtlie, burges of Dundee,
four pundis of blak money. And atour the said Johne inquirit at the said
Androw gif he had ocht to say til him anent the said iiii lib., quhilk Androw
sayd he had na thing to say til him anent that soume. And the said Henry
grantit him that the said money was sufficient payment quhen he ressauit
it, as he understude.
22c? January, 1484.
The xxii dai of Januar, yer of God Ixxxiiij, it is ordanit be the alder-
man and consale that Robert Buchan sal in tym to cum, for the worship of
the toune and honeste of merchandis, quhen and als oft as he passis in
Flandris, within foure dales eftir his cumeing thare, mak til himself ane
new gowne and doublat accordand for him, under the pane of i lib. gret, to
be rasit of him to Sanct Nicholace wark ; and quhare ony four of his nych-
bours rydis in a cart, that he be fundin passand in the cart rycht sua under
the said pain ; and for the xxx s. paid be Mastir Adam of Gordon, persoun
of Kinkel, for the hiring of a cart, thai haf ordanit the said Robert to pay
ten s. Scots assignit be the said Mastir Adam to the organis.
\st February, 1484.
The first dai of Februar, the yer of God m cccc Ixxxiiij, it is ordanit and
decretit be the alderman and counsale, that the talyeours and al utheris
craftismen within the toune, sal, in tyme to cum, bcyr thare takyinis of
thare craft apon thare beristis, and thare best aray on Canddihnes day at
3 H
414 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
1st February, the Offerand ; and quha that contervinis, and dois nocht, sal tyne thare
^*^- fredura for a yer.
27th November, 1484.
In the court haldin in the tolbuthe of Abirden be Alexr. Rede, ane of
the baillies of the samen, the xxvii dai of Nouembre, yer forsaid, George
of Meldrum, son and apperand air to William Meldrum of Fivy, producit
certane personis underwritin, to here leil witnessing in the action betuix
him and James Cumyn, tueching the borowgang of nyne merkis, in the
quhilk the said James drew him, as he allegis : that is to say, Antoun of
Keith, bruder german til a mychtie lord, Wilzam Erie Merschel, Archibald
Raty, and Thom Sibbald of Care, quhilkis, the gret aith swome, and ex-
aminat concordandly, hes deponit and declarit be thare athis, that James
Cumyn drew the said George of Meldrum borgh and dettour for him to
Dauid Rate for ix merkis of a mare some for the redeming of his schip
and gude. And that the said James Cumyn was obleist, be the fayth of
his body, to pay and content the soume forsaid of nyne merkis to George
of Meldrum.
Item, the forsaid George of Meldrum has constitute and ordanit James
Lesly, Johne of Culan, and Johne Low, his procuratouris, coniunctlie and
seuerallie, to folow James Cumyn for nyne merkis, for the quhilkis he drew
him dettour, as is before expremyt, of thare ressate, acquittance to gif, and
al uthir thingis to do, anent the recovering of the said some, that he mycht
do in propir persone, promittand to bald ferme and stabill.
The samen day, William Kimpty, constabill of Abirdene, comperand
in jugement, has made, constitute, and ordanit Alexr. of Chaumer, ser-
jiand, be the deliuering of a wand, his depute and substitute to ministre in
the said office of constablary for a yer nixt to cum, like as he suld do in
propir persoune.
28th April, 1487.
The xxviii day of Aprile, the yer forsaide, the aldirman, consale, and
comunite has ordanit and deliuerit to writ to the toune of Danskyne, and to
the bertomasteris, &c., of that ilk, to proffir to content and pay al somes of
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 415
money and gudis avand thara be ony of our nychtburis, and gif ony offens 28th April,
or iniuris be done to ony merchandis or nichtburis of tharis be ony of ouris ^'^^'
til amendit at al thar gudly pouris.
The said day, the alderman was ordanit be the consale present for the
tyme to pay xl s. to Robert Themdale for the horss that deit quhan thai
wrat to my Lord of EroU anent the lyrae that his lordschipe desirit.
30th June, 1487.
James, be the grace of God King of Scottis, to the aldirraan, balzeis,
consale, officiaris, and comunite of our burghe of Abirdene greting : For-
samekle as we haue understandin that in tyra bygan thar has bene gret
vexacioun and tribule amangis you throu the chesin of your officiaris and
fre disposicion of the comon gude of our said burghe, it is our will herfor,
and we charge you straitlie and commandis that in tyme to cum ye cheis
nane officiaris within our said burghe be the supplicacioun, charge, menys
of ouris, nor of nane vther personis, hot be haile election of the comunite ye
frely cheiss sic officiars within our saide burghe as salbe knavyn, maist
ayfaldly set for the comon gude and profit tharof, and for gude of merchan-
dise, vnder al the hiest payne, charge, and ofi^ens that ye and ilkane of you
may comraitt and inryne in that pairt agan our maieste ; and atour that yhe
and your thesaurar comper befor our justice, and reuerend fader in God
and oure trast consalour, William Bischop of Aberden, your prelate, and
the remanent of the lordis that we have now send to our justice-ayr of
Abirdene, and gif tham full compt and rekning of the disposicioun of the
comon gude of our said burgh, and certify thame, but dissimulatione, in
quhais handis at the samyn is on, say that we may thair throw consider and
knaw in quhome the fait hais bene and is, and mak reforraacione to be had
tharapone as efferis ; and that ye cheiss your saide thesaurer in tyme to cum
be haile and fre electione of the comunite of our saide burghe, and nayne
vthir way is, vnder the charge forsaid. Gevin vnder oure signet at Edin-
burghe, the last day of June, and of our regne the xxvii yer.
James Rex.
Quhilk letter Andro Murray has in keping.
lith November, 1488.
William Porter was convikit be the aboue assise, deliverit be the mouth
416 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
14th Nov.. of the saide Jonhe Colison, for the strublance of Androw Branche, the
^*®' bailze, maliciouslie in worde, and in ane amercyament of court therfor.
Alsua the forsaide William Porter was convikit be the saide assise for the
strublance of the said bailze in the execucione of his office, and in dis-
personing of him, and to amend it as law will ; item, the saide William
Porter was convikit be the saide assise for the strublance of Alexander
Allanson, serjiand, in worde. And the said bailze and officiaris quyt of
ale strublance of the said William Porter.
The same day, it was statut ande ordanit be the alderman and consale
for the amends of the said strublance, bayth the said parties being oblist
to stand thairto, that the said William Porter sail pass to the tolbuth dure,
and cum bene bairhede to the comon kist, and besik the alderman and the
consale, present for the tyme, to mak instance to Androw Branche, the
bailze, to remitt him for the offence and strublance done to him obefoir ;
and the said William to syt down on his knee, and aske the said bailze
forgevynnis. And attour, gif ever the saide Wilhame beis convikit in
tyme cuming for siclik offence, he sale pay to Saint Nicholas werk five lib.
unforgiffen. And for this saide offence now done to the said bailze and
serjiand, the said William sale pay i pece of waxe to the Halyblud licht,
thairof ii lib. iii [ ] continent, and the remanent to be pait at commaund of
the alderman and iiii of consale quhen ever he is requirit thairto.
leth March, 1489.
Alexander Menzies, &c., chosin and suorn in ane assise to determine and
decide the borrghe strekit upone Thomas Mar be Alexander Rede anent
the payment of ane susplat of wool, with the quhilk the said Thomas
wrangaislie intromettit ; and the said assiss was dischargit of thair aithes,
and both the forsaide parties was oblist be the fath of thar bodis, thair
hands uphaldyne, to stande and abide at their deliverance, in presens of
the alderman and bailzeis, quhilk deliverit and decretit be the moutht of
Johne Colison talisman, that Thomas Mar sal deliver, or ger be deliverit,
to the saide Alexander Rede ane susplat of woll in the feir, contening
alsmony wanis and nalys of wecht as the susplat of woll that was the said
Alexander Redes wecht, quhilk was sauld be the said Thomas and Patrick
Rede to Tayfer Porter of Brugis within xv dais efter the craft schip
salandc out of the port of Aberden, with merchands to Zeland or Flandris.
And for the deliverance of the said susplat of woll, and of the saide wecht
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 417
and gudnes, the forsaid Thomas sal set sik caucione and souerte to the I6th March,
said Alexander, within the tone of Aberden, within foure dais herefter ; ^^^•
and the silver of the said susplat that was sauld, being in Tayfers hands,
sal redunde to the profit of the saide Thomas Mar. And gyf ony
silver be takin upe be Alexander Rede, or be ony uthyr in his name, of
the susplat that was sauld, restand in Tayfers hands, it salbe pait agane
to the saide Thomas Mar. And for the aventour of half the silver of the
susplat of woll quhilk sulde be deliuerit to the said assis, ilkane be thar
name, ar oblist to beire tene s. gret of aventoure of it in the hayme curayne
fra Flandris to Scotland, in the schip callit the Barbara of Aberdene, at
the wile of the said Alexander Rede.
It was deliverit be the aldermen and consale present for the tyme, for the
gret offenss committit be William Belty agains Thomas Waus, that the
said William sal offer and present his crag to the goyfs, and his knyf in his
hand, thar to stand at the will of the said Thomas ; and attour the said
William sal cum on Sonday the next cums, in the tyme of hie mass, in
lynning claths, bair legs, fute, and head, with ane louse goun and ane
candill of ane pound, offering the candill to haly kirk and the knyf to the
said Thomas, in takin of repentance of the said offens, asking the said
Thomas and his frends one his kneys forgyvnes ; and attour the said
William sal pay half ane stane of wax to the Halyblude licht ; and gyf ever
the said William commits ony offens or strublance in tyme to cum, and beis
convikit thairintil, he sal pay fortie punds to Sanct Nicholas work unfor-
given : and to the fulfilling and keping of the deliverance the saids William
and Thomas was oblist be the fath of thar bodies, ther hands uphalden.
26th June, 1490.
The said day, it wes statutit and ordanit be the consale present for the
tyme, that gif euer Williame Lamyntone, or ony vtheris, wakis in the
nicht and comitis ony injuris stribulance, or inquetis ony persone or per-
sonis, or the toune, sale pay fiwe merkis to Sanct Nicholess werk, and
vther fiwe merkis to the reforming of the tolbuthe ; and gif thai haue nay
gudis, thai salbe putt in the goiff, and thar remane iii or iiii dais the first
tyme, and say the secunde tyme, and the thrid tyme thai salbe banyst the
tone.
418 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
17th August, 17 th August, 1490.
1490. rpjjg samyn day, the alderman, balleis, and diuerss of the consall and
comunite of Aberden, representand the body of the toune, grantit the pa-
tronage of Sanct Ninianis altar to Williame Meldrum of Fywe, and to his
aires maile lauchfuUie gottin of his bodie, and to be gottyne, the said
Williame gevin in augmentacioun and eking of the said chaplanry to Sir
Robert Leis, perpetuale chaplane of the samyn, and his successouris, fiwe
merkis of annuel rent, tharof xl s. of the landis of Wattertoun, beside
Ellone, and tua merkis of Ardeforke, and grantit the comone seil tharupon,
the said Williame deliuering his chartour of new infeftment of the said
fiwe merkis, togidder with the annuelis of the aid infeftment, to the said
chaplane ; and eftir the said Sir Robertis deceis, the saide Williame sale
present ane sufficient cheplane, that be ane sangaster and chorister con-
uenient for the wphaldin of diwin seruice in the queir of Abirdene, quhilk
sale mak continuale residence and seruice in the samyn. And attour, gyf
the said Williame and his ayris male, being sleuchtfuU ony tymes when the
said chaplanry vakis, and presentis nocht ane sufficient chorister within xl
dais thereftir, than it salbe lesum to the alderman, balzeis, consale, and
comunite of Abirdene, frely to dispone tharapone at that tyme, and to pre-
sent ane conuenient mane for the samyn, to the vphaldin of Goddis seruice
as saide is.
\1th August, 1491.
The said day, comperit Andro Culane, yonger, Abbat of Bonacord, and
askit at the alderman and baillies, and remaner of the consal present for the
tyme, paiment of his fie permitted to him as uthyrs had abefoir ; quhilkis
anseird thai coud fynde nay waiy to pay him quhil he hede servit it furth
the yer, and he protestit for remeid of law.
\%th January, 1492.
The said day, it was statut, ordanit, and grantit be the alderman, balzeis,
and diuerss of the consal and comunite present for the tyme, that Jonhe
and Robert, ther commone menstralis, sal haue resonabile dietis circualie
throw the nichtbouris of the towne ; and gif ony persone or personis refuss
to resaue thame to thair dietis, it sal be lesum to thame to gif to the said
menstralis xii d. one the day, baith for mett, drink, and wagis for serapile
folkis.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 419
1st February i 1492. let Februar)-,
The said day, Philp Clerk was conuikit be ane assis for the wrangwiss ^^^•
haldin of a wrang pek of less mesour, and unselit ; alsua, he was conuikit,
for for stalling of the burghe for aplis, vnzounis;^ salt, feggis, raysinis, and
al vther froitis, or thai war puttyn to the tone.
The saide day, George Brone and Androw Wilson conuikit for the
haldin of ane vrang pek, and vnselit ; and all the saide iii personis was
ordanit be the consal to be put on the goyff, thair pekis brokin, and ilkane
to pay viii s. for thair vnlaw, vnforgevin.
Wth February, 1492.
The saide day, the merchandis now hawand gudis in the schippis redy
to saile, with consent of the communite present for the tyme, grantit, that
euere persone hauand gudis within the saidis shippis, sal bringe hame in
the sarayn schipis, or vther sufficient schipis, to the tovne, for euere sek
j tovne and d. of gudis humvart, for the furnising of the tovne with mer-
chandiz ; and quha that falzes herintile, sal pay wast fraucht for the said
j tovne and d., siklik as the nychtbouris frachtis the said schip, and xl s.
to Sanct Nicholess werk, vnforgevin.
22c? March, 1492.
The saide day, it was deliuerit and ordanit be the commissar to ray Lord
of Aberden, present the channonis, and the alderman, ande consale, for
the strubulance and offence done be Richerd Wricht to Schir Johne
Strachin, that the saide Richerd sale cum on Sonday that next cumis, in
tyme of the hie mess, with ane candile in his handis of j lib. wax, bairheid,
in ane louss goune, and aske the said Schir Johne forgivnes, and pray the
alderman, consale, and cheplaines of the kirk, present for the tyme, to mak
instance to the said chaplene to remitt the rancour of his hert to the said
Richert. Alsua, the said Richerd sale mak him thankful pament of his
annuel in tymes to cum, at Witsonday and Mertimes ; and gif he failzeit
thairintill, or commits ony offence to him, or ony vtheris, in tyme to cunj,
he sail pay xl s. to Sanct Nicholess werk, unforgevin.
1*^ June, 1492.
The said daye, comperit lonhne Davisone, skipper of my lord of
Murrayes schipe, and followit Adame Brone, lonhne Fechart, and Sandy
420 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
let June, Telle, to mak seruice in the said schipe for the viage, quhilkis personis
^^^ denyit that thai war hirit to mak seruice forthir na to the port of Aberdene,
and becaus thair wes na witnes that knew the conuencioun, the said skipper
referrit to the aithis of the saidis Adam, Johne, and Alexander, quhilkis
deponit the gret bodely aithe that thai war nocht conducit, hirit, nor yet
promittit to mak seruice farrar nay to the port of Abirdene.
17 th June, 1492.
The saide day, James Colisone, in the nayme and behalflF of ane richt
worschipfule clerk, Master Adame Gordone, chantour of Murray, deliuerit
to Jonhne Moir, sone and air to umquhile Andro Moir, ane retour of ane
breyf of ydiotre, selit with certane sells that Alexander Glaster, his
moderis broythir was fundin ydeot, in presens of Alexander Iruyn of Lun-
raey, sheriff of Aberdeen, Alexr. Reid, alderman, Schir Johne Ruthirfurd,
Robert Blinsele, Master Johne Badenagh.
20th June, 1492.
The saide day, Johne of Myll, duelland at the Justice Myll, has dravin
and oblist his hande and his gudes, to amende and vpricht the skaitht done,
and gif ony happinis eftiruart to be done, be his skabbit horss to Schir
Johne Ruthyrfurdes gudis, and al vytheris gudis, becaus the said horss ar
forbodyne gudis.
I2tk July, 1492.
The samyn day, the alderman profferit the rentall of the toune of wat-
teris mails and lande malys, to Alexander Chawmers and Johne Menzies,
tua of the bailleis of the said burghe, requirand thame that thai and thair
fallowis wald gathir the said malys, sua that the xiii raerkis aucht to our
souerane lordis hienes, and vtheris pensiones to the lordis, may be pait,
and he offerit him reddy to ber the said xiii merkis to the chekkir, and
bring hame sufficient acquittance tharof, an thai wald deliuer to him the
said money.
The samyn day, the alderman presentit his corapt of Sanct Nicholess
wark, and offerit him redy to vnderly the consale, or certane suorne audi-
touris thairintill, and dischargit him of the said werk.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 421
The said day, Alexr. Charaer and Jonhe Menzeis, tua of the balzeis of I2th July,
Aberdene, allegit that thai war dischergit by my Lord Chaneelar and the ^^^•
lordis of our souerane lordis consale of al intermetting and vptakin of the
malys of the said burghe, and ane thesaurer chosin to resaue thame and the
comone gudis of the towne, thairfor thai wald not intermett with the saidis
malis. Neuertheless wald the alderman and thesaurar pass to gathir in the
saide melis, thai wald pass with thame, and furthyr, and help thame at thar
pouer, hot thai wald nocht resaue thame.
6th August, 1492.
The saide day, Williame Gibsone, belman, at coraraaund of the alder-
man, passit throw the haile tone, and warnit and chargit, in oure souerane
lordis nayme, and in the aldermanis and balzeis behalf, to cum to the tol-
buitht incontinent and pay ther taxt contribucioun to furnyss the personis
furtht to the meting of my lord Huntlie, locumtenant, to pas with him to
the asseging of the strinthtis of the His, eftir the tenor of the precept
direkit tharupon.
^th August, 1492.
The samyn day, Jonhe Menzeis novmerit in gold and siluer four scoir
markis four markis aucht s. and viii d. apone the comraone kyst, redy to be
send and deliuerit to the factouris of the Bischop of Orknay, that is to say,
to Gelis Farchar, and allegit that the alderman suld caus him be pait of ix
markis and x s. that he deliuerit at his commavnd.
Wth September, 1492.
Eodem die Johannes Rutherfurd resignauit in manibus nobilis potentis
et magnifici domini Archibaldi Coraitis Angusie domini Douglas et can-
cellarii Scocie suum officium prepositure, et consequenter Alexander Rede
electus fuit propositus per dominos concilii regii cum auisamento consiHi
et communitatis pro anno instanto, prestito solito juramento
Ibth October, 1492.
The saide day, Philp Quhithede was in amerciament of the court for the
wranguiss strubulance of Thomas Bard, and the said Thomas in amercia-
ment of the courte for the wranguiss strubulance of the saide Philp ; and
atour thai ordanit the said Philpe to cum one Sondaye that nixt cumis with
3 I
422 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
25th October, aiie candile conteninge i lib. waxe, in tym of the hie mess, and bring with
^*^ him his knyf, dravin, and halde it be the poynt, and deliuer it to the saide
Thomas, and aske him forgivnes, and besek the werthi men present for the
tym to pray the said Thomas to reraitt him the offens done to him, and
offer the said candile to the Halyblude licht, and Johne Menzeis come
souertie for the said Philp to the fulfilling of the said deliuerance.
Ath November, 1492.
The said day, the alderman, bailzeis, and consale, and communite, pre-
sent for the tyme, grantit tham avand to Thomas Prat xlviii s., and to
Williame Futhes xlviii s. Scoitis money, for spice, waxe, and wyne, gevin
till our souerane lordis propyne, quhilkis thai obleist thame to allow on
thair girsumis, gif the assedacioun beis made within tua yeris next her-
efter ; and failzeing tharof, thai grantit and oblist thame to refunde, con-
tent, and pay to the said Thomas xlviii s., and to the said William xlviii s.,
but fraude or gile, and thankit thame gretlie of thair first and supersedement
of the said money to the vorschipe of the toune.
9th October, 1494.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the consall, that ane persone
sail halde the haill common gaitis and venellis of Abirdene clene and weill
dichtit, be sicht of the toune, for the quhilkis he sail haue ane penny of
ilkane fyr houss, ane penny of ilkane marchand buitht and craftisraen
buthis.
\9th February, 1495.
The saide day, comperit ane nobile and michti lord, Alexander Lord
Gordoun, befor the alderman and baillieis sittand in jugement within the
tolbuitht of the samyn, and thar producit ane act done befor the lordis of
oure souerane lordis counsale, vnder the hande and manuel subscriptioun of
lohne of Tiry, as eftir followis : " At Edinburght, the xxi day of October,
the yeir of God m. iiii*= Ixxxxv yeris, in presens of the lordis of consale,
it is appontit and accordit betuix Alexr. Lord Gordoun one that ane pairt,
and George Eduardsoun, burgis of Edinburghe, in the toyther pairt, anent
the withhaldyng fra the said George of the sovme of xxvi lib. xvi s., vsual
money of Scotland, clamit be him to be avand be the said Lord Gordoun,
for certane salt bocht and resauit be him fra the said George and Gilbert
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 423
Menzeis, his factour, in maner and forme as eftir foUowis, that is to say, I9th February,
the said Alexr. Lord Gordoun sal prwf sufficientlie befor the aldirraan and ^^^^•
balzeis of Aberdene, or ellis befor the lordis counsall in the next sessioun,
that he bocht the saide salt fra the said Gilbert, and gaf him dectouris for
the paiment thairof, and falzeing of his said prwff, the said Alexr. Lord
Gordoun sale content and pay the saide svme of xxvi lib. xvi s. to the
saide George be the next sessioun. Extractum de libro actorum per me
Johannem Tiri clericura deputatum venerabilis viri Magistri lohannis
Fresale decani de Lestalrig clerici rotulorura et registri ac concilii sup-
premi domini nostri Regis sub meis signo et subscriptione manualibus
Johannes Tiri." Quhilkis act being rede, herd, and vnderstandin in pre-
sens of Gilbert Menzeis, the said lord reuerentlie requirit the alderman
and balzeis that thai wald causs thir personis vnderwritin be suorne the gret
aithes, and declar the verite anent the hying of the said salt, eftir the tenor
of the said act, the quhilkis peticioun the said alderman and ballzeis under-
stand resonabile, and consonant to resone, resauit the personis vnderwryttin,
quhilkis riplie avisit, the gret aithes suorne, the said Gilbert nocht exceping
again thaim, deponit and declarit as eftir followis : In the first, Alexr.
Menzeis deponit, be his aitht, he hard say thar was salt sauld and deliuerit
be Gilbert Menzeis to my lord Gordone, and he was nocht present at the
findin of the dectouris, and he hard say thar was dectouris fundin. Sir
Johne Rutherfurd deponit that Gilbert Menzes hed sauld to my lord
Gordone, and deliuerit to his factouris, certan quantite of salt, and resauit
Andro Branche and Thomas Mar dectouris for the payment of the said
salt ; and the saide lord bocht na salt fra George Eduardsone, burgis of
Edinburghe. Andro CuUen elder, concordis in all thingis with the de-
posicioun of the said Sir Johne Rutherford, and atour said that Gilbert
Menzeis gert suraraond Andro Branche and Thomas Mar befor oure
souerane lorde, for the pament of the saide salt. Jonhne Colison deponit
he hard say my lord Gordone bocht certane salt fra Gilbert Menzeis, and,
as he trowis and rememberis, Andro Branche and Thomas Mar was
dectouris for the paiment of the said salt. Thomas Prat deponit he hard
say lord Gordone bocht salt fra Gilbert Menzeis, and fand him dectouris
for the paiment of it. Thomas Fif concordis with the said Thomas Prattis
deposicioun in all thingis. Robert Blinsele deponit, he onderstud Gilbert
Menzeis had sauld certane sault to the lord Gordoune, and had resauit
dectouris for the pament of the samen. Gilbert Menzes deponis, be his
424 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
19th February, atht, as he rcmemberis, that he sauld to lord Gordoune certain sault of
1495. George Eduardsones, and Andro Branche, Johne Colisoun, Thomas Mar,
and Andro Culan elder, come dectoris for him for the paiment of the said
salte, hot he reraemberis nocht the quantitie of the sovme of the money to
be resauit for the saide salt. And Alexander Red deponit he hard say lord
Gordone bocht certane salt fra Gilbert Menzeis, and fand him dectouris
for the paiment of the samyne.
26th September, 1495.
The said day, comperit ane discret mane, Schir Alex. Gray, cheplane
of Sanctis Crispan and Crispinianis altar, situat within the paroche kirk
of this burghe, and producit and shew ane autentwye instrument under the
subscriptione of Schir Jonhne Stirueling, notar publict, and seile of Thomeis
Fyfe, makinge mentioun and shewing that the honest and fathefule mene
of craft, cordonaris of the said burgh, with ane consent and assent, in the
honor of God Almichti, the blissit Virgine Mary, Sanctis Nicholas, Sanctis
Crispinn and Crispinian, and al Sanctis, had chosan and taken the said
Schir Alexr. ther perpetuale cheplane, to mak ministracioun of dyvine
seruice at the said altar as efferis ; for the quhilk thai war bundin to sustene
the said cheplane honestlie as efferis in meyttis, drynkis, and sustentacioun,
circualie, be sevin of the best and worthiast of the saidis craftismene, ane
day in the oulk, and payand to him xl s. usual money of Scotland yerlie
to his fie, of vtheris the remanent of the craft, as in the samyn mair fullie is
contenit ; quhilkis instrument seyne and undirstandin, the haill cordonaris
lauchufuUie warnit, callit, and comperit, the said chaplene humelie menyt
him to the alderman, balzeis, and consal that he wantit his fie and pairt of
his dietis in the oulk, beseking thame of remede of law ; quhilk peticioun
the saidis alderman, balzeis, consale, and diuerss of communite, undirstandin
richtuss, and consonant to resone, with express consent and assent of the
best and worthiast of the said craft, ordanit, fand, and deliuerit the said
evident of vaile, and the said craftismen to sustene thar said cheplane
honestlie eftir the tenor of the samyn ; and maide and ordanit Thomas
Meldrum and William Ranisone dekynys and masteris of the saide craft in
that parte to compell and distrenze thar nichtbouris, craftismen, and cor-
donaris to the sustentacioun of thair said cheplane eftir the tenour of his
evident.
OF THE BUEGH OF ABERDEEN. 425
23c? January, 1496. 23d January,
The saide day, it was statut and ordanit be the alderman, bailyeis, and ^^^^
eonsale, for the honor and defenss of the tone, that everie craftsmen
within this burghe sale ger raak ane standart for thar craft.
2\st April, 1497.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the alderman and eonsale
for the eschevin of the infirraitey cumm out of Franche and Strang partis,
that all licht weman be chargit and ordanit to decist fra thar vicis and syne
of venerie, and al thair buthis and houssis skalit, and thai to pas and wirk
for thar sustentacioun, vnder the payne of ane key of het yrne one thar
chekis, and banysene of the toune.
1th June, 1497.
The saide day, the wyf of Jonhe Blak, the wif of Sandy Forbes, Mergat
Balcome, the wif of Jonhe Rede, worbster, Emy Kerapty, Tiby Ruther-
furd, Mody Baxter, Alisone Cuming, the wif of Sandy Huchone, Donald
Bandone, Richerd Reidheid, ilkane of the said wemen was in ane amercia-
ment of the court for the breking of commone ordinance, and spilling of the
mercat, in hying of meil and tapping it ; and the said Donald and Richerd,
ilkane of tham in amerciament of the court for the blewing of meil and
selling till alienatis ; and Dauid Fynne in ane amerciament of the court be
his tonge grant, for the selling of meill in barrell til alisuris, be ane suorne
assis, Johne Colisone forspeker ; for the amendis of the quhilkis it was or-
danit and statut that nane of the said women be fundin in the mercat unto
Michelmes byand meill ; and gif ony of them be comprehendit in the said
mercat, thai salbe takin be the officiaris and put in the goif, thair to stand
xxiiii houris ; and the saidis Donald, Richerd, and Dauid, ilk ane sal pay
X 8. to Sanct Nicholes werk, and i lib. wax to the Halyblude licht ; and gif
euer ony of tham thre beis conuikit for sik crymes in tym to cum, sel pay
xl s. to Sanct Nicholes werk vnforgevin.
Gth October, 1497.
The saide day, it was statut and ordanit be the alderman and eonsale,
that nay meill byaris sal cum in the mercat for this instant yer ; and gif
ony beis fundin in the mercat, and beis conuikit tharof, the first tym thai
426 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
6th October, sal pay the vnlaw, the secunde tym put in the goif, and the thrid tym ex-
^^'' pellit the toune.
22d June, 1498.
The saide day, it is statut and ordanit be the alderman and consale, for
the commoune profit of the toune, according to the aide lovabill consuetud
and law of this burgh, that al pynouris and cariaris of gudis within this
burghe sal haue for ilkan barell, borne fra the key, or fra the schip burd at
the key, to ony part of this burghe beneath the Braidgutter, ane penny
Scots money, and for ilkan barell bevne the Braidgutter, tua pennies ; and
for ilkane chalder of lyme, colis, salt, quhet, malt, and vyther stuf beneath
the Braidgutter, vii d., and bevne it tua s., and for ane byrne beneth, i half
penny, and bevne j d., and sua of tunnys and vyther gudis tunlyk, be the
consideracioun of the aldirman and counsal ; and quha brekis this statut,
or ony pont contenit in it, sal be secludit and forbedin the toune, thai beand
conuikit thairintill ; and that nay persone that inqueris, or intendis to
beir or cary sic gudis, be stoppit nor impedit be the pynouris, bot that
thai haue fredome thairto ; and quhais dois in the contrar, and beis con-
uikit tharof, salbe punist be the aldirman and consale, and pay ane vnlaw,
unforgevin. And that ilkan berar of girnal gudis haue ane band fast at
thar pok, and that the pok be knit and closit or it cum out the keill or bot
burd.
I9th August, 1498.
James, be the grace of God King of Scottis, till all and sindrie our
officiaris, Regis, and subditis quhome it efferis, quhais knawledge thir our
letres sal cum, greting : Forsamekil as our vthyr letres war direkit obefor
be aviss and deliuerance of the lordis of our counsale, chargeing, for
certan resonable caussis concerning the gude of merchandice, and comon
wel of oure realme, that nay schipis suld pass nor saile in merchandice
furtht of oure realme, in ony pairt within the Duk of Burgundyeis land,
for ane certan tyme to cum, lik as oure vther letres and proclamacioun
maid tharapon proportis. Neuertheless, becauss we knaw that ane schip
of the toune of Wer in Zeland, the maister and skipper thairof callit
Neilball, was ladyne and chargit with merchandice and gudis o^. St. Ni-
choless of Abirdene, and vytheris oure lieges, befor the making of the said
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 427
proclaraacioun, and wes redy to haf depertit, and gif she war stopit of hir I9th August,
viage, it suld be gret sketh baith to the skepar and merchandes. Herefor, ^^^^•
of oure special fauoris, we gif and grantis full licence and fredome, be thir
our letres, to the said skipper and merchandis to pass quhen at plessis
thame, with the said schip, and merchandice and gudis, to the Campver,
or ony vther partis beyond say that plessis thara, for the exerceing of thar
merchandice, and wil that that thai be nocht accusit, attachit, arrestit, or
trubulit thairfor, in thair personis, schip, merchandis, or gudis, be vs or
ony of oure oflBciaris, lieges, or subditis, in ony viss, nochtwithstanding
ony proclamacioun, inhibitioun, lieu or chargis of ouris in the contrar,
&c. Gevin, vnder our priue seile, at Sterueling, the xix day of August,
and of oure regne the xi yer.
I5th October, 1498.
The saide day, the alderman, balyeis, and diuerss vtheris of the consale
present for the tyme, grantit to Mabuys belman xx s. to by him ane pee for
to pass ilka Mononday throucht the toune, in the morning, to name and
pray for the saulis gevin him in bile, as vyss and wont is, and has bene
tymes bigen.
28th Januanj, 1500.
The said day, it was statut, ordanit, and grantit be the alderman,
balyeis, and maist pairt of the consall and comunite present for the tyme,
that Jonhe and Robert, thar comone menstralis, sal haue resonabile diets,
sevralie, throw the nichtbors of the towne ; And gif ony persone, or per-
sonis, refuss to resaue thame to thar dietis, it sal be lesum to thame to gif
to the said menstrals xij d. one the day, bat for mett, drink, and wagis,
for simpile folkis.
2lst August, 1500.
The xxi day of August, the yer forsaid, it was statut and ordanit, for
the eschewing of the plage of pestilence and safte of the toune, that thir
houssis vnderwritin, and al personis beand within tham : that is to say, the
houss of Duncan Colisoun, Johne Colisoun, Johne of Cullan, Gilleys,
Alexr. Hay, Jonhe Syme, Cristiane Fichat, Amy Traill, Dauy Club,
Thome of Myding, &c., salbe closit for this space of xv dais nixt herefter,
ande all vyther personis that the alderman ande the oflficiaris chargis ; and
428 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
12th August, nocht to cum vteucht ther houssis and lugeings, vnder the pane of ded ;
1500. ^^^ ^jjg kystis that come out of the ship that com now of lait fra Danskin
to Patrick Andersone, be brynt ; and that ale personis that come hame in
the said ship, keip thame inclusit in thar houssis for the space of xv dais,
under the pane of ded, becauss the said personis, and thair houssis, befor
writtin, reset pairt of the said personis and thar gudis. And quhay that
wantis ony sustentacioun, the toune sail mister to thame nedfull thingis.
Quhilk statut and comon ordinance wes made be the alderman, baizes,
counsal, and comunite of the burgh, in ane voce concordand, and openly
red, heard, and vnderstandin.
23d March, 1501.
The saide day, comperit Albert Gerardson, Hollander, master, under
God, of ane brokin schip of Skedame, quhilk, throw storme of sey, happin
to brek, and the wrak of hir come in on the cost of Croudane, in Buchan,
quhilkis wrak, nethis, saile, takill, and towis, and ale stuf being with the
saide schip as scho come to lande, he grantit he had sauld to ane nobile
lorde, William Master of EroU, for xv Frenche crounis of golde, quhilk
he resauit in numerit golde, in the nayme of the saide lorde, be the
handis of Johne Chene of Essilmonde and Sir Johne Baxtar, and dis-
chargit and quietclamit the saide lorde, his mene seruandis, ther ayris,
executouris, ande assignes ; and all uthiris quhome it efferis, for him, his
ayris, executouris, ande assignes. And all uthiris quhome it efferis, now
and for euar, witht consent and assent of Adriane Clayssone, Adriane
Cornelson, James Melisone, Johne Zensone, and Cleyss Williamsone, and
utheris marinaris and schipmen, being in the saide schip ; apone the quhilkis
Johne Chene of Essilmonde, in the name of the said lorde, askit instrument
at me. Sir Johne Stirueling, notar publict, under the secret seil procurit
therto, be the saide Albert, befor the witnes, Alexr. Menzes, aldirman,
Johne Cullan, Andrew Cullane, Jonhne Worraet, Johne Mar, Dauid Mar,
balzeis, Johne Steuinson, Jonhne Fechat, burgessis of Aberdene, Geyss
Okertoune, Cornelius Petersone.
3d December, 1501.
The saide day, the aldirman, ballisis, and consale present for the tyme,
ordanit i petra and ^ of wax, to be made in torches and prekatis, and
iii gallonis of wyne, [ ] boystis of skorcheatis, to be given in ane propin
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 429
to the lorde Gray, Justice till our souerane lorde quhen he come to the 3d December,
Ayre of Abirdene fra the northt pairtis ; and ordanit Gilbert Mengzeis ^^^•
and Androu CuUane denys of the gilde, to outred the said thingis of the
common gudis of the said burghe.
3d February/, 1502.
The saide day, Johne Rede, wobster, John Williamsone, &c., ilkane of
thame was convict be ane suorne assise, Alexander Reid forspeker, be-
causs thai did nocht it that accordit thame to do one Candilmese day, in
the Passioun, efter the auld honorabill and lovabill consuetude of the burghe,
and for the quhilkis thai war in ane amerciament of the court, and to amend
as law will, and forbere in tym to cum, becauss thai pretendit thame to pre-
cede and pass in the place of the processione, quhar the tailzeours had vyss
to pass tymes bigane.
I7th June, 1502.
The said day, thir personis eftir writin, Alexr. Menzes, aldirman, Dauy
Menzes, Andro Culane, Johne Colison, Johne CuUan, Alexr. Chamer,
Alexr. Rede, Johne Knollis, Gilbert Menzes, James Colisone, Thomas
Waus, Patry Leslie, William Chamer, Johne Retie, Alexr. Mar, Robert
Crag, Patry Chernsid, Johne Waus, Patry Rede, Andro Meldrum,
William Andersone, Dauy Adamsone, Alexr. King, Andro Lowsone, and
William Murray, disassentit to gif ony of Sanct Nicholes gudis to Sir
Johne Ruthirfurd, or tile ony utheris. And attour, thai ordanit the aldir-
man to folow Sir John Rutherfurd for thar commoune gudis, eftir the tenor
of the procuratory gevin to him under the commoun sele, quhilkis personis,
at commaunde of the aldirman, was circualy inquerit be the said James
Colisoun, ane of the baizes.
17 th May, 1503.
The said day, Johne of Myle, at the Myle of Pitcapile, was accusit for
strublance of Isabele Scherar, quhilk strublance scho wald nocht liaue sus-
tenit for fourty pundis, for the quhilkis the said Johnne was in amerciament
of the court, be his avin tonge grant, and tile amend as law will ando for-
ber in tyme to cum. And atour, the said Johne being oblist to stand at
the ordinance of the alderman and counsaill, quhilk, riplie avisit, witht the
witnes being present for the tyme, deliuerit and ordanit the said Johne to
3 K
430 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
17th M*y, sit downe in the court one his kneis ande aske the saide Isabell forgivnes,
^*^ and beseik the alderman and bailies to beseik hir to forgif him, and to ger
raak ane candill of wax conteneing ane punde, and cum on Sonday that nixt
cumis, in tyme of the hie mes in Sanct Nicholes kirk, and offir it to the
hie altir, and ther ask the said Isabell forgevnes oppinly, befor the persons
beand present for the tyme, sayande he wist neuer sic thingis one the said
Isabell as he said and rehersit one hire, quhilk candile salbe offerit to the
Halyblude licht.
9th June, 1503.
The saide day, Androw Cullane, forspekar for the merchantis, requirit
reuerentlie, as eflFerit, the alderman and balzeis, that thai suld nocht licenc
nay unfreraen to saile nor suffir nay fremen to tak unfreraenis gudis, under
colour to haue in uthir partis, and tile obserue and keip to thame the
louabill actis and statutis maid therupon according to justice, offering him,
in ther names, to pay x lib. gif thai did in the contrar, and requirit the
aldirman and baizes to pay x lib. gif thai happinit to licenc ony ane unfre-
raan to saile, but the aviss of the denys of gilde and of the counsale of the
towne, protestande for remede of law gif thai did ony thing in the contrar
hirof; upone the quhilkis the saide Androw askit at me. Sir Johne
Striueling, instrument. Witnes, Alexr. Rede, Siris Johne Rede, Androw
Chamer, Androw Colisoun, Dauy Les, chaplannis, Johne Waus, Androw
Nachty, and William Scrimigeor.
20th October, 1503.
The said day, Elizabeth Iruyn, the relict of vmquhile [ ] AUardes
of that Ilk, followit and persewit William Buchane, baxter, for the wrang-
uiss castin doun of hir houss, pertening to her in conjunctfeftment, liande
in the Castelgate, one the southt pairt of the samyn gat, betuix the lande
of the saide Williame on the est pairt, and the lande of Alexr. Menzes,
alderman, on the wast part, quhilkis wrang the said William, be him and
Patry Rede, his forspekar, denyit ; and tberefter, the said complant, in
strength of ane borghe, with consent of the said pairties, was put to the
decisioun of tbir personis efter following : that is to say, Davy Menzes,
Robert Blinsele, &c., burgessis of the said burghe, the gret bodeUe aithe
suorne in ane assis, the richtis, ressonis, and allegacionis of batht the said
parties, witnes and pruye, led, herde, sene and understandin, deliuerit and
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 431
fande the said William Buchane quyt of the wrangus castin doun of the 20th October,
said houss, becaus it was sufficiently pruit befor the said assis, and als ^^'^•
be his avne gravnt, that the said William warnit hir lauchfuUie obefor,
or he gert put ony workmen to his houss, to cum and se him put werkraen
to reforms his houss, and to se he had her nay skayth ; and forthyr, becaus
it was pruvit be diuersss personis, workmen, and utheris, that the said
Williame, nor the labouris done to his house, dide nay skaithe to the said
houss pertening to the said Elizabeth, sathat it walde haue fallin doune it
allane, suppois the said William had never put hande to his house.
The saide day, the alderman, bailies, consale, and the comunite, present
for the tym, consentit and grantit to gif to Master James Cumyne yerlie tene
merkis vsuale money of Scotland, ay and quhile thai promove him till ane
half nethis fischingis of the mydchingile, or the furds on the water of Dee,
grissome free, he payand the male of the said fischingis as vtheris nichtbouris
pais, sua that the said Master James, wif, barnis, and housheld, bald houss,
and mak personale residence within the said burghe, and cum and vesy
tham that beis seik, and schow them his medicin, one thar expensis, and
nocht to pay the said annuale pensione of tene merkis nor nayne pairt of it
unto the tym that his said wyf, houshalde, and barnis cum and makis per-
sonale residence within the said burghe, and therefter to pay the said ten
merkis yerlie quhile he be put in ane of the half nethis fischingis forsaide.
23d October, 1503.
The saide day, the alderman, bailzes, and counsale grantit and gefF to
thar commoun clerk and seruande, Schir Jonhe Stiruelinge, ane burges, to
be chosin be him frelie for his excercesioun and labouris doun in the mak-
ing of thar process of the landis of the Tullocht preceptis and uyir doingis.
\4th November, 1504.
The saide day, it was statut and ordanit be the aldirraan, balzeis, and
counsale, for the common profit of the toune, that nay woman sal by meile
in the mercat, bot gif scho mak price of it or scho gif hir erllys, and that
thai sal tak nay strakis nor cheritoyss ; and that na woman sal by mair meile
than will stede hir self and hir houshald, under the pane of xl s. ; and that
nay persone baik, vaile, or by, quhill it be deuisit be the aldirraan and con-
sale, &c. ; and that all land mone haue thar seks redy oppin to sell to all
432 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
14th Nov., that will by vittale, boll, half boll, firlot, pek, and half pekis, and the tollar
1504. gj^jg YisiXiQ pekis and half pekie redy to serue all men.
ZOtk November, 1504.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit be the bailyies and counsaile,
riplie avisit, for the vphaldin and preseurans of the auld louabile honor,
consuetud and rit of the said burgh, vsit and sustenit in tymes bigane,
in the honor of thar glorias patroun, Sanct Nicholes, that ale per-
sonis burges nichtbours, and burges sonnys, habill to rid to decoir and
honor the toun in thair array, convenient tharto, sale rid with the Abbot
and Prior of Bonaccord on every Sanct Nicholas day throw the toune, as
vss and wont has bein, quhen thai ar warnit be the said Abbot and Prior
abefor : And gif ony man, hawand tak of watris and fishing of the toune,
habill to rid, be warnit be the said Abbot and Prior of Bonaccord, and
wile not rid, [thai] sale tyn thair takis quhilkis thai haue of the toune, at
the nixt assedatioun ; bot gif thai haue ane ressonable causs and impediment
that thai may not rid, quhilk thai sale shaw and be considerit be the alder-
man, bailyies, and counsaile obefoir : And utheris personis beand warnit,
habile to rid, and failyies tharin, without ane ressonable causs shawin to the
alderman, bailyies, and counsaile for the tyme, sale pay to Sanct Nicholes
werk XX sh. unforgevin, and viij sh. to the bailyies for thair unlaw.
SOtk January, 1505.
The said day, it was fundin by the aid lovabile consuetud and ryt of the
burgh, that in the honor of God and the blissit Virgin Mary, the craftsmen
of the samyn, in thar best aray, kepit and decorit the procession one Candil-
mes day yerlie ; quhilk auld and louabile consuetud, the prouest, baillies,
riplie avisit, ratifeit, and approvit the said ryt ; and atour statut and ordanit
that the said craftsmen, and thair successoris, sale perpetualie in tyme to
cum, observe and keipe the said procession, als honorabily as thai can :
And thai sale, in order to the Offering in the Play, pass tua and ij togidr
socialie ; in the first the flesshoris, barbouris, baxturis, cordinaris, skineris,
couparis, wrichtis, hat makars [and] bonat makars togidr, walcaris, litstaris,
wobstaris, tailyeouris, goldsmiths, blaksmithis and hammermen ; and the
craftsmen sal furnyss the Pageants ; the cordinaris, the Messing ; wobstaris
and walcaris, Symeon ; the smyths [and] goldsmiths, iij Kingis of Cullane ;
the litstaris, the Emperour ; the masons, the Thrie Knichtis ; the talyors,
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 433
our Lady, Sanct Brid, and Sanct Elene ; and the skynners, the Tua Bis- 30th January,
chopis ; and tua of ilke craft to pass with the pageant that thai furnyss to ^^^
keip thair geir ; and gif ony persone or persouns happinis to failye and brek
ony poynt befor writin, and beis convict tharof, [he] sale pay xl sh. to Sanct
Nicholas werk, and the balyeis unlaw unforgevin : Ande to the obseruing
and keping of the samyn, ale the said craftsmen was oblist, be thair handis
uphaldin.
22rf May, 1505.
The said day, it was ordanit and deliuerit be the prouest and counsale, all
in ane voce concordand, that the bailleis sale pass, ilk ane in his quarter,
witht his officiar, this day and to morne befor noune, to al personis aving
heir and meile siluer, and charge thame to schew tharae thar penny worth,
quhilkis thai haue and will sale for panient of the said money to the frem-
rait men ; and all that has na penny worthtis conuenient for thame, to
charge and command to mak thankfule payment of all somes avinge be
thame to the said alienaris : certefeing all the saidis personis aving money,
that has penny worthtis, that thai wile ger priss the samyn be suorne per-
sonis, and all that schevis na penny worthtis, thai will prouide, compele,
and distreinze thame thar gudis, and mak redy payment in pennis to the
said alienaris of all somes aving to thame for the frethin of the towne, ac-
cording to justice.
2,1th July, 1505.
The said day, it wes statut and ordanit be the prouest and counsaill, that
nay maner of persone nor personis lay nor hing na maner of stuff, gair, nor
gudis one the wale of the plaice of the grey freris, befor the takin of the
haly croice ; and quha happinis to do the contrar, the gudis sal be eschet,
and thai sale pay ane amerciament of the court to the bailzes uneforgevin
for the first tyme, and the secund tyme thai sal be expellit the toune, and
thair gudis eschet.
l^th January, 1506.
The saide day, it was statut and ordanit be the alderman and courisele,
that ale the penteraris of this burghe sale put ale the pent that suspect
personis presentis to sale to the officiaris of the burghe, or thai by it, and
be suorne tharto.
434 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
19th July, I9th Jtt/y, 1506.
1506. f^he said day, the prouest and Johne Colisone, ane of the bailyes present
for the tyme, dischargit thame of all thingis pertenyng to my lord of
Aberdenis jurisdictioune, and speciale anent ane goune debatable, betuix
Isabell Crichtoune, the relict of umquhill Johne Wormet, one that ane
part, and William Wormet on that uthir part.
I5th November, 1506.
The said day, Dauid Cheman, and Dauid Broiss, goldsmitht and burges
of the said burgh, at command of William Portar, ane of the bailzes of the
said burgh, prisit ane corss of gold, weyand half ane unce, and half ane
unicorn weicht, to Iviii s. and vi d., and ane ring of gold, witht ane blew
Stan, till ane Franche croune, in all thingis be thair aithis, quhilk was put
to the said bailze be Mathow Ross, seruitour till ane worschipfull man. Sir
Alexr. Monemeill, parsone of Forbes, and was layd to him in wed for
certane money : that is to say, the said corss for iii Frenche crounis, and
the said ring for ane unicorne of golde.
27th February, 1507.
The said day, comperit Normond Lesly, ane of the officiars of the said
burgh, and schew and respond that, at the command of Johnne of Mar,
ane of the baillies of the said burgh, he raessauit ane gold ring fra Dauid
Murray on the behalf of Androw Murray his fadir, to ger prise the said
ring at the mercat corss of the said burgh for certane money awing to the
said Androw, for the quhilkis the said ring was plegeit to hyme. And
the said day, comperit Dauid Theman, Dauid Croiss, goldsmythis, laucht-
fully warnit and chargit tharto, quhilkis deponit be thair aithes, that thai
at command of the said officiar, chargeing thame in the kingis nayme,
prouist and baillies, to prise the said ring, and that the said officiar put
the said ring at the merkat croiss of the said burgh, the v day of the
moneth of Februar, the yer of God jai v'= and sevin yers, and thai prisit
the said ring till aucht merkis and half a merk, be thair aithes and con-
sciens, the weicht of the Rose noble till tua merkis, the secund day of
process. Item, the xii day of the said monetht, the said officiar put the
said ring to the said merkat corss, to be prisit for the said money, quhilkis
the saidis Dauid Theman and Dauid Broyss prisit to viii merkis and ^,
the noble weht tua merkis. Item, the xix day of the said monetht of Fe-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 435
bruar, the thrid day of process, the said officiar put the said ring to the 27th February,
said merkat corss, to be prisit for the said money, quhilkis the saidis Dauid ^^^•
Theraan and Dauid Brouss prisit the samen, as said is. Item, the xxv
day of the said monetht, the said officiar prisit the said ring, as %ferd day
of process, to the said merkat corss to be apprisit for the said money,
quhilkis the said Dauid and Dauid apprisit the said ring to viii merkis
and ^^ as said is, for the pament of the some awand to the said Androw ;
the quhilk ring being apprisit, the said officiar, be werteu of his office,
profferit to sell till ony personys that wald by the said ring, and gif maist
for it, or pay the soume that it was prisit to. And becaus the said ring,
of ressone, suld be first ofierit to the awynar, the baillies chargit the said
officiar to pass, and, befor sufficient witnes, offir the said ring to the
awanar, and gif he refusit it, to deliuer it to the creditour that the money
is awing to ; and gif the said ring excedis the debt, to deliuer the ex-
crescence tharof the awar of the said ring.
I6th May, 1507.
The saide day, it was statut and ordanit, be the prouest, bailyeis, and
counsale for the vphaldin of the aide louabile consuetuid, honor, and rite
of the toune, that all manere of youthis, burgeis and burges sonnys, salbe
redy everie halyday to pass with the Abbat and Prior of Bonacord, in
thair array convenient thairto, under the paine of xx. sh. ilkane persone
that fayleis, and [ ] tharof for thar unlawe unforgevin ; quhilk
unlawe salbe departit betuixt Sanct Nicholes werk and the said Abbat
and Prior equalie ; and in likuiss thai ordanit the tounes officers to be redy
to pass with the said Abbatt and Prior continualie for the honor of the
toune.
28M May, 1507.
The said day, the prouest and bailyis statut and ordanit that ale skynaris
sale gang befor the cordinaris in ale proccssiounis, baitht in Candilmes play
and utheris processionis that accordis thame to gang in.
8M October, 1507.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit for the comone proffit, woill, and
irud reull of this burgh, be the prouest, bailzes, and consale, that na burges
within this burgh sal haue nay forstallar vnder him to pas in quintray to
436 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
8th October, forestall the burgh in hieing of woll, hidis, nor skynnis, vnder the pane of
1507. fj^y raerkis ; and that nay merchand sale tak ane vther mannis merchand
out of his hand vnto the tyme that he have comptit and raknit finaly with
his merchand, and be free of him, vnder the pane of fiwe markis.
Item, that nay merchand oppin his butht dur to sel or by, or do ony
merchandise one ane Sonday, vnder the pane of ane pund of vealx, or the
waile of it, to be applyit to the Halyblud licht.
Item, it is statut and ordanit that na taulcht be barrellit nor schippit,
vnder the pane of eshet to the toune, quhar it may be comprehendit, and
viii s. of the sellar for ane amerciament, and thar personis and gudis to be
dangerit be the kingis hienes.
Item, it is statut and ordaynit that nay swyne be haldin withtin this toun,
vtteuche band, or ane ring in thar wort, vnder the pane of eshet of thame,
and viii s. uneforgevin ; and gif thai be fundin vteuche band, and without
ring in thar wort, fifteine dais beand runyne, thai salbe eshet, and lesum
to be slane, quhaireuer thai ma be fundin.
Item, that all forstallaris salbe accusit and punisit for thar forstalling,
be the lovabill statutis and consuetud of the burghe.
Item, that ale fut chepman berand paxis one thar bakis, salbe free to
cum and pas saiflfly to the said burgh without ony accusatioune, or pan
of forstalling of the burghe.
Item, it is statut and ordanit that nay litstaris [ ] skynneris, nor
craftismen, sale wesche thair clethis, hidis, skynnis, nor vyther stuf, in the
comon riuolis, loche, nor watteris ; and that nay red fische, quhit fische,
claythis, nor vyther stuflF that may infect the watter, be cassin nor weschin
in it.
Item, that nay drauchtis be haldin apon the said loche, nor riuolis, nor
watteris in priue, nor appert, hot vtterly destroyit.
Item, that ane preu§ inquest be takin of ale unlauchful personis housis,
draucht haldaris, walcaris, and of ale vyeris poyntis perteyning tharto [ ]
and punist be the law.
Item, that ale candilmakaris has candile reddy to sele to ale mane, anp
thai salbe sellit be richt wecht, the pund for iij d., small weikit and dry.
Item, that nay aill be sellit derar this yeir than viii d. the galloun, be fre
folkis, and vi d. the galloun, be vnfrehaldaris.
Item, that ale bantaris sale haue breid of quheit sufficient, gud and clene
stuf, penny breid and tua penny breid.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 437
Item, that diligent inquisitioun be takin of ale infect personis with this 8th October,
strange seiknes of Nappillis, for the sawetie of the toun ; and the personis ^^^•
beand infectit therwith be chargit to keip thame in ther howssis and vther
places, fra the haill folkis.
Item, that the fleshouris sale sell na flesch quhill it be prisit, ande euery
Setterday the bailzeis about circualy sale pas with the flesch prisaris, and
set it eftir thar aithtis.
Item, that quhit fisharis sale putte the fische to the mercat, and sele na
fisch to landmen, nor zhit in gret, quhile the toune be seruit, and that na
regratouris of quhit fisch quhile the toune be seruit.
Item, that thar salbe certane personis ordanit to cleng the toun and dicht
the causaies, ilkane fyr houss payand thame ane penny.
Item, that nayne infecht folkis with the seiknes of Napillis be haldin at
the common fleschouss, or with the fleschouris, baxteris, brousteris, ladi-
naris, for sauete of the toun, and the personis infectit sale keip thame quyat
in thar housis, zhardis, or vther comat placis, quhill thai be haill for the
infectioun of the nichtbouris.
Item, that na wittel be housit quhile it be putt to the mercat, and at the
mercat be keipit, and all caik baxtaris and huxtaris be expellit thairfray.
Item, that na craftismen by hidis bot as the law requires, that is to say,
the louge and the borne elik lang.
Item, that na craftismen bark and scharp, baith eftir the forme of oure
souerane lordis lawis.
Item, that craftismennis wiffis, litstaris, cordonaris, vsing browing, haue
a leid to brew in, ande ane vther for thar craft.
Item, that na man bald swyne fyr and elding in a houss, and that the
bailzeis cerss thair quarteris four tymes in the yeir, and expell unlauchfuU
folkis and unlauchfuU houssis.
Item, that nay onefreman keipe oppin butht within the burgh, nor haue
license to saile in merchandise, under the pane of xl s. ; and gif the denys
of the glide sufferis thame to saile or keip oppin buitht, thai sal ansuer for
the said xl s.
Item, that the mettis and mesouris be assait throw the haile toun, and
quhar thai be fundin unrichtuuss be distroit, and the avnaris of tham pvnisit
be the lawe.
Item, that all couparis mak sufficient barrelis of raesour, efter the law of
the realme, and consuetud of this burghe, and ilkan man set his avne merk
3 L
438 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
8th October, to his avTie werk ; and quhay failzeis hereintill, to be pvnisit efter the tenour
1507. j^jjjj rigour of the law.
Item, that na man intromett nor merchandise mak with vtheris mannis
gudis vnder colour, allegand thame to be thar propir gudis, vnder the pane
of X merkis.
Item, that na mvk within this burghe at ony mannis yit or dur ly langer
thar than xxiiii houris, vnder the pane of viii s. unforgivin, and the said
mvk to be fre till euerie persone that sail pless to tak or leid it away.
The said day, Johne Litster exponit how it was deliuerit be ane sworne
assis that Jonhne Cuk in Ellone suld haue brocht ane act of the consistory
court that he was dischargit of ane par of splentis be the said Jonhe, and
suld haue presentit the said act befor the balzeis one Wedinsday, the saxt
day of October instan, and gif he failzeit in the bringin of the said act the
said day, that he suld pay viii s. to the said Jonhe Litster for the saidis
splentis ; and becauss he falzeit in the presenting of the act, the said Jonhe
Litster allegit he suld pay to him the said viii s.
5th March, 1508.
The saide day, the prouest, ballieis, and counsale, ordanit and diuisit
ane propyn in wyne, wax, and spice, to my lord of Abirdene, as eftir fol-
louis : In the first, tua puntionis of wyne cost nyne lib. and iiii s. to cary
thame to my lordis place ; item, iiii pece wax, price of the stane xviii s.,
maid in torchis and prikatis, for the makin of thame, iii s., for the treis
makyn and savin, xviii d., for tua reuchteris to be the treis, xx d., for
wekis, xviii d. ; item, ii dusane of scorcheatis, price xlviiii s., ^ galloune
of Maluasy, price iiii s. viii d., ane gallone of claret, v s. iiii d., ane ^
galloune of quhit wyne, price ii s., to be pait of the rediast gudis of the
toun. Some of the haile, xvi lib. iii s. viii d.
%th May, 1508.
The said day, it was statutit and ordanit be the alderman, baillies, and
consale, that all personis that are abill within this burghe sail be reddy with
thair arrayment maid in grene and yallow, bowis, arrowis, brass, and all
uther convenient thingis according thairto, to pass with Robyne Huyd and
Litile Johnne, all tymes convenent tharto, quhen thai be requirit be the
saidis Robyne and Litile Johnne, efter the tenor of the statuts and procla-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 439
matioun maid be the proveistis, baillis, and counsaill ; and gif ony of the 8th May.
said personis happenis to failye in ony poynt befor writyne sail pay ^^^•
fourty shillings unforgiven, and sail nocht bruik nor joiss, tak, fisching, nor
land of the said burgh.
I6th July, 1508.
The said day, comperit Johnne Currour and Johne Waul, masteris
under God of tua Ingliss schippis, of Scarisburgh, witht certane fischar-
men, and Patry Leslie, thair forspekar, and humbly complenzeit, how thai
happinit till arive and cum within the hawin and port of the said burgh, be
ane north eist wind and lekness of ane of thair said schippis, one Sonday, in
the morning, the xv day of this instant monetht of Julii, and Sir Johnne
Rutherfurd and Androw Fife, witht thar complicece, haid takin thaim,
allegiand thai suld be presoneris, and deponit the greit aitht that thai com
within the said havin to mend the said schip, and throw ane northt eist
wind, and askit leif at the quhit fischaris or thai com within the said havin,
quhilk licenc thame safer as thai mycht, and besocht the bailzeis to grant
thame certificatioun thairapone. And thaireftir the bailzeis causit the belman
to pass throu the toune and warne the merchandis and nychtbouris of the toun
to cum to the tolbuitht, til haue thair awiss in the said materr, quhilkis pre-
sent, and circuly inquerit be Willeam Scrimigeor, ane of the officiaris of
the said burgh, grantit and declarit that thai consentit nooht to the takking
of the said schippis and personis, nor had nocht art nor part thairof ; and
thai understude thai var na presoneris, and requirit the bailzeis to gif the
said Inglismen certificatioune thairapone, protestand that quhat skaith
happinit to cum thairof eftirwart suld nocht cum on thame, na the said
toune, bot apone thame that intromettit witht the said schipis and personis.
17th November, 1508.
The said day, the prouest, bailyeis, counsaill, and comunitie of the said
burghe, representand the haill body of the samyne, warnit be the hand bell,
ale in ane voice considerand, riplie avisit, for the auld rit and lovabile con-
suetud of the said burgh, vsit and perseruit all tymes bigane, past raemor of
man, in honor of thar glorius patron Sanct Nicholaice, statut and ordanit,
that all personis, burges, nichtbouris, and inhabitaris, burges sonnys, habill
to ryd, to decor and honor the towne in thar array conveinant therto, sail
rid with Robert Huyid and Litile Johne, quhilk was callit, in yers bipast.
440 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
17th Nov., Abbat and Prior of Bonacord, one every Sanct Nicholas day, throw the
^*^ towne, as use and wont has bene, quhen thai war w^amit be the said Robert
Huyde or Litile Johne, or ony ane of theme ; and gif ony man haffand taks
of watris, fischeingis, landis, or ony pensioun or proffit of the toune, habill
to rid, beand warnit be the saidis Robert Huyd or Litile Johne forsaid, and
will nocht ryd, and beis convict tharintill be ane suorne assiss of the said
burgh, sail tyne thar takis, pensiounis, and proffitis that thai haue of
the said burghe, and salbe secludit, removit, and utterlie expellit fra ale
takis, pensionis, profits, quhatsumever thai have of the said burgh, in tyme
to cum ; without ressonable causs schawin and propinit to the prouest,
ballyeis, counsaill, Robene and Litile Johne, obefoir, and be considert be
thame to be lauchfuU impediment and excuss quharthrow thai mycht not
ryd ; and the personis havand na takis of the said burghe, beand warnit be
the said Robert Huyd or Litile Johnne, and will not rid, sail pay xx shilling
to Sanct Nicholas werk, and viij sh. to the bailyeis unlaw vnforgevin.
21 st January^ 1509.
The said day, the borgh fundin be Robert Piper and Johnne Piper, comon
menstrallis, upoun David Ines, for the wranguiss withhaldin fra thame of
thar dietis yerly, and thar fie, was fundin awaile ; and for the quhilkis it was
deliuerit be ane suorne assis, Cristofer Prat, forspekar, that the said David
was in ane amerciament of the court, and aw to pay to thame yerly xviij d. :
Notwithstanding, the alderman and baillies defalkit ij d. yerly ; and say the
said Dauid sale pay to the said menstrellis xvj d. yeerly.
22</ October, 1509.
The said day, Bessy Layng, the wif of Johnne Beryhill, was conuict be
ane suorn assiss, Mathou Branche, forspekar, for dissobeing of Johne Cuk,
officiar, in the executioun of his oflSce, and for takin away of the set of the
aile of hir dur, set be the said Johnne Cuk, officiar, and putting up and
skorand viii d. aile.
30^A January J 1510.
The said day, it was fundin be the aid lovabile consuetud and ryt of the
burgh, that, in the honor of God and the Blissit Virgin Mary, the craftsmen
of the samyn, in thar best aray, kepit and decorit the processioun, on Can-
dilmes day yerlie ; quhilk auld and louabile consuetud the prouest, baillies,
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 441
and consale riplie avisit, ratefeit, and approvit the said ryt ; and atour, statut 30th January,
and ordanit that the saids craftsmen and thar successoris sale perpetualie in ^^^^•
tyme to cum, observe and keipe the said procession als honourabily as thai
can ; and thai sale in order to the Offering in the Play, pas tua and ij togidr
socialie ; in the first the flesshoris, barbouris, baxturis, cordinaris, skineris,
coupairis, wrichtis, hat makars bonat raakars togidr, walcaris, litstaris,
wobstaris, tailyeouris, goldsmiths, blaksmiths and hemermen ; and the crafts-
men sale furnyss the Pageants; the cordinaris the Messing; wobstaris and
walcaris Symeon ; the smythis goldsmithis, iij Kingis of Cullane ; the
litstaris, the Eraperour; the masons, the Thrie Knichtis ; the tailyors. Our
Lady Sanct Brid, and Sanct Elene ; and the skynners, the Tua Bischopis ;
and tua of ilke craft to pass with the pageant that thai furnyss to keip their
gear ; and gif ony persone or persouns happinis to falye and brek ony poynt
befor writin, and beis convict tharof, sale pay xl sh. to Sanct Nicholas
werk, and the balyeis unlaw unforgevin : ande to the observing and keping
of the samyn ale the said craftsmen was oblist, be thar handis uphaldin.
3d February, 1510.
The said day, Thomas Meldrum, William Patonsone, Andro Jonsone
yonger, John AUane, and Richard Wricht, was, ilkan of thame, in amer-
ciament of court, be thar avine toung condemit, becauss thai passt not in
the procession of Candilmes day to decoir the samyn, and tile amend as law
wile, and forber in tyme to cum.
7 th October, 1511.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit that ilkane hors haldin and festenit
in girss sal pay yerlie viii d., ilkane cow vi d., ilkane scheip tua d., for fogag
to the denys of the gild of the said burgh.
2lst November, 1511.
The said day, it was statut and ordant, be prouest, bailyeis, counsaile,
and comunite present for the tyme, representand the body of the towne,
warnit tharto be Gilbert Preston, officiar, for the auld rit and lovabile con-
suetud of the said burgh, vsit and preseuerit all tyme bigane, past memor
of man, in the honor of our glorious patroun, Saint Nicholas, that ale
personis, burges, nychtbours, burges sones, and induellaris within the said
442 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
21st November, burgh, abill to rid to decoir and honor the towne in thair best eray con-
^*^^" venient tharto, sal rid every Sanct Nicholes day, al tymes to cum, quhen
thai ar warnit be the prouest and bailyies ; and gif ony burges, or burges
sonis, havand taks of watris, fishingis, landis, or ony pension or proffit of
the tovne, abill to rid, beand warnit be the prouest and bailyeis, and will
not rid, and be conuict tharanent be ane suome assiss, sal tyne thar
takis, pensionis and proffittis that thai haue of the said burgh, and sal be
secludit, removeit, and uterlie expellit tharfra, in tym to cum, without
ressonable caus schawin and exponit to the said prouest and bailyeis, and
to be considerit be thame gif it be lauchful impediment and excuss quhar-
throw thai may nocht rid : and atour, that al personis, burges, merchand
men, and craftismen, havand ua takis, habill to rid, beand warnit be the
prouest and bailyeis as said is, and will nocht rid, sail pay xx sh. to Sanct
Nicholes werk unforgevin, and aucht shillingis to the bailyeis unlaw, with-
out lauchful impediment as said is, conformand to the uther actis maid
tharapone obefoir.
25th January, 1512.
The said day, the prouest, bailyeis, and counsale present for the tyrae,
ratefeit and approvit the actis maid obefoir, that every craft within this
townne, sail haue a pair of torcheiss, honestlie maid of four pund of wax,
to decoir and worschip the sacrament one Corpus Xti day, and at the Fest
of Pasche, at the Resurrexion, at Youle, and at all vther tymes, quhen neid
is to the honor of the townn ; and ordainns all frie and unfre to loit and
scot, and pay thair part tharto, as thai are extentit to, be the deknys of thair
craftis.
lOth May, 1512.
The X day of the monetht of Mali, the yer of God j" v<= and xii yeris,
thir personis etirwrittin : that is to say, Jonhne of Cullane, Androwe Cul-
lane, Patry Leslie, Jonhne Blak, and Georg Byssat, was chesin and suorne
the gret aithes, be the haile balzeis, counsale, and comunite of the toune, to
set and extent the svme of fiwe hundretht pundis, vsuale money of Scotland,
for the releving of the justice ayr and chavmerlane ayr of the burghe ; with
aviss of the prouost and certane of craftismen, pairt of ilkan craft, and the
expenss and propynis gevin to the clerkis and lordis.
OF THE BUKGH OF ABERDEEN. 443
lAth July, 1512. 14th July.
The saide day, the prouost and balzeis accusit George Currour of ^^^^•
Dome, for the trublance of the toune, the xiii day of this instant monetht
of Julii, as thai allegit, quhilk trublance the said Georg denyit, and offerit
him til vnderlie the decisioun of ane assis ; and incontinent therefter the
said accioun was put to the declaracioun of the best and wortheast burges
of the said burghe present for the tyme, quhilkis riplie avisit, the ressonis
and allegacionis of baitht the said pairteis, herd, sene, and vnderstandin,
witnes producit, it wes fund and deliuerit be the said assis, Schir lohne
Rutherfurd, forspekar, the said George quyt of all strublance of the said
burghe.
I9tk March, 1514.
The said day, the prouest exponit and opinlie declarit how yt is nocht
unknawin that he, at command of oure souerane lordis hienes and my lord
of Huntlie, had callit in the haile towne, and gert cheiss certane commis-
saris to pass to the Parliament, and diuisit thair expensis, and deliuerit the
bile tharapon, quhame fra the said expenssis suld be takin to Dauid Ander-
sone, ane of the balzeis of the said burghe, and that he and the commissaris
chesin tharto wes redy to ryd, and could nocht get the expensis diuisit for
tham ; tharfor the prouest protestit that the skaith cumand thairof suld turne
apon the personis avand the said expensis, or on the baize, in defalt of exe-
cucioun of his office.
7th September, 1515.
The quhilk day, Dauid Brownn grantit him awand to my lord the Elect
of Abirdene, iiii" cartill of dry petis, to be inbrocht be him incontinent,
tharof xl cartill on the said Dauidis expensis, with his awin hors, and
vyther xl cartill one my lordis expenss.
17 th September, 1515.
Statut for the electioun of ix personis to pas to the dukis seruice.
The saide day, the haile toune, warnit be the hand bell and the officiaris,
representand the haile town for the tyme, and, circulaie inquerit, chesit
Gilbert Menzeis, Johnne Cullan, Androw CuUan, Johne Collisoun, James
Colisoun, Thomas Waus, and Wilzeame Wormet, to be suorne the gret
444 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
17th Sept., aitht to cheiss nyne personis, fensabill pretty men, to pas and mak the gud
1515. seruice, and to be nemmyt and chosin be thame.
llth October, 1515.
We, Johne Duke of Albeny, tutour to the kingis, and governour of his
realme, gevis and grantis be thir our letres oure full coramissioun and
powere to oure louit coussing, Williarae Earle of ErroU, to intromet and
vptak all and hale the landis and gudis, movabill and vnmovabill, quhilk
pertenit to Alexr. Storne, burgess of Aberdene, being in our handis throw
his decess, be way of bastardry ; quhilkis landis, gudis, and proffiitis tharof,
oure said causing sal intromat tharwith, and vptak and inbring the tane
halfe of the samyne to our factouris in oure nam ; for the quhilk we gif, be
thir oure letteris, to our saide cousing, for certan causis moving us, the
wther half of the said eschet gudis, and to apply the samyn to his avine use,
and to dispone tharapone as oure said cusing sal think maist expediant.
Gevin vnder oure signet, and subscriuit with our hand, at Edinburgh, the
xi day of October, the yere of God j" v*= and xv yeris.
JOHAN Gh.
19^A November, 1515.
The said day, it was statut and ornanit be provest, bailyes, and counsaill
present for the tyme, that the auld lovabill consuetud and rit that has bene
vsit within this burgh, all tyraes bigane, past memor of man, in the honor
of our gloreuss patroun, Sanct Nicholes, and uphalding of the auld con-
suetud, that all burges sonnys, merchand men, and craftismen, habill tharto
thoucht expedient be provest, bailyeis, and the gud men of the towin, and
to be villit be thame, address tharae, in thar best array, to rid at this instant
Fest of our said patroun, Sanct Nicholace, siclik as has bene vsit obefoir
tymes, for honor to the towne, and loving to our patroun ; and quha that
failyeis, and riddis not, he being warnit tharto be ane bailye that sail be
lymyt tharto, to be punyst eftir the forme of the act and statut maid
tharapone in the monetht of November, anno quingentesimo vndecimo,
without ony fauor.
24th July, 1517.
The said day, the wyf of Patry Walcar grantit scho had ane young
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 445
swyne in hawfaris betuix hir and EUene Crippill, quharfore the said Elene 24th July,
protestit for the profittis of the half of the said swyne. ^^^^'^•
5th Februari/, 1523.
The said day, Johne Pill, tailzeour, wes conuikit be his awin toung
grant maid in jugement for the dissobeing of David Anderson, bailze, be-
caus he refusit to pas in the Candilmess processioun with his taikin and
sing of his craft in the place lemit to his craft, and in likwiss for the mis-
personing of the said Dauid Andersoun, the merchandis of the said guid
toun, in calling of thame CoflFeis, and bidding of thame to tak the salt pork
and herboiss in thair handis ; for the quhilk the prowest and hail [councel]
chargit the said Johne, he beand oblisit in jugement be his hand wphaldin
thair deliuerance, to cum on Sonday that next cumis, in the tyme of hiemes,
barfut, and bairheid, with an candel of ane pund of wax, and offer the samyn
to thair patroun Sanct Nicholace, and sit doun humelie on his kneis, be-
seikand the prowest and guyd toun to rarayt him his forsaid fait, and in-
obedience doyne to the bailze, and to bring on his breist the usit taikin of
his craft, that is to say, ane pair of patent sheris ; and gif euer the said
Johne committis ony siclik falts in tym cuming, to pay to Sanct Nicholace
wark X merkis but remissioun.
The sayd day, tha provest, with the aviss of the haill counsell present for
the tym, fund and dely verit, that the craftismen of the said burgh had failyet
in the observing and keiping of the lovabill auld statut, maid be thair pre-
decessoris, with the consent of the haill craftismen, in the honoring and de-
coiring of the procession on Candilmess day, becauss thai wer absent for
the raaist part, and that thai that wer present, buyr nocht the taikins of thar
craft, eftir the forme of the said statut : And ordanit the bailyes to wptak
thair vnlawis of the absent, and thai that faiiyeit in the bering of thair
taikins, to amend in tym cuming, vnder al payne contenit in the auld statut,
to be wptakin but ramissioun.
I3th April, 1523.
The said day, the hail toun, all in ane voce, maid, constitut, and ordanit
honorabill men, Thomas Menzes of Petfodcllis, and Patrick Lesly, bur-
tresses of Aberden, Lordis of Bonacord for this instant ycir ; and ordanit al
manr of yong able men within the toun duelland, to rise and obey to thame,
3 M
446 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
i3th April, quhen thai are requirit, eftir the auld rit and wss of the said burgh ; givand
^*^- thame power to correct and puniss thair dissobearis at thar awin hands :
And chesit thaim in likwise to be Mastris of Artuilyery for this instant yeir.
1st March, 1530.
The said day, William Lyoun, baize to my lord of Abirdene, asket
lycens at William RoUand, ane of the bailzeis of this burcht, to hang ane
theif, quhilk was convickit in my lord of Aberdens court, quhilk lycens
the said William RoUand grantit, protestand that it suld nocht hurt the
townis preualegis in na sort.
1530.
[The statutes on this and the three following pages are copied from a
MS. in the possession of a Member of the Club, which would ap-
pear to have been the scroll of the Town Clerk. On the margin
are the words " Wreit nane of this," being a direction probably
that they should not be copied into the Council Register, but should
be entered in their " Buk of Statutes to be ingrossit in perchment,"
referred to in the Preface, where they are also to be found. In this
Manuscript, and also in the above volume, there is a statute dated
13th June, 1533, relative to the processions on Corpus Christi day,
which is frequently referred to in the Council Register, but is not to
be found there.]
And, attour, it is statut and ordanit that thair be feit four personis : that
is to say, tua to the stipill of the tolbuitht, and tua to Santt Nicholace
stepill, and thar to remayne eurilk day, sa lang as day licht lastis ; and
thair to spy quhat maner of [persons] on fut or on hors, to quhat nomer,
or quhat get thai cum to the toun. And the watch that beis in Santt
Nicholass stepill to haue ane waip or tua within the samyn ; and quhen
he seis ony man cummand to the toun ridand, gif thair be hot ane, gif hot
a knell with the bell, and gif thair beis tua, tua knellis ; and gif thair beis
mair, ay as he can nomer them, sa mony men as he jugis, to gif sa mony
knellis. And gif thai be sa mony that he cannot guydlie tell thaira, than
to knell ay continuall ; and quhowsone the watch in the tolbuitht heiris him
knelland continuall and fast, than he sail jow the comond bell, ay and
quhill the toune be in thair geir and harness. And the watch that beis in
Sanct Nicholace stepill, to pyt on the waiffs that he hes, to the part of the
OP THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 447
toun he seis thame cumand to, sua that it may be knawn qubat port and 1530.
art of the toun thai cum to.
And that eury zoung and abill man that hes or may get ony culwerings,
cors bowis, or hand bowis, that thai incontinent mak thame reddy, and ws
schutting with the samyn, prowyding all wais to schaif thame self fra skaitht
of thair innymeis. And that euery man of guyd, and wthers that may per-
furneis, gar mak thame spers incontinent that wants.
And attour thai haue ordanit the prowest to tak with him tua or thre of
the best and wisest men and guyd of the counsell quhom that he thinks
maist expedient, and mak writings to the lords and men of guyd in the
cuntra about, quhilk was not at the said slauchter committing, and knaw
thair myndis to the guyd toune, and quhat kynd thai will haue thame in
tym cumming to the samyn; and gif thai ma be sikar, that thai wulbe thair
guyd freids in tyra to cum as thai haue euir beyne of befor, and quham
in thai ma lippin. And quhat euir the said prowest and his counsell dois
thairintill thai obleis thame to stand and abyd at the samin.
It is statut and ordanit be the saids prowest, baillies, counsell, and
communite forsaid, that thair be na maner of personis within this toun
duelland, of quhat degre that euir thai be, that tak apone hand to ludg or
ressit, athir be da or nycht, quietlie or oppinlie, ony maner of persoun, of
quhat degre that euir thai be, without thai haue lischens of the prouest
thairto ; and gif it sal happin that ony maner of persone be suspekit quietlie
be thair nychtbours or ony vthers in ressawing of ony personis quietlie, and
reueleit to the prowist or to the baillies be thair nychtbours, that incon-
tinent the saids personis suspekit have thair durrs and zetts reddy oppin to
the bailzeis and thair officiars to se and rip thair innys, that the said suspi-
cioun be not of verite ; and gif thair beis ony nychtbour that dissobeis thair
baillies or officiars in the excirsitioun herof, and siclik luigs ony maner of
personis without thai have lischence of the prowest, other frind or fa, few or
mony, ather be da or nycht, without thai cum first to the prowest and
schaw him quhat personis thai ar, thair names and quhat noiner, and quhow
lan<T thai ramayne, and have his lischence thairto, that the said persons tiiat
failzeis in the premissis tync thar fredome, togidder with all proftbit thai
haue or ma haue of this guyd toun, athir tak or rome in tym cumming ; and
448 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
laao. gif it beis ony f ] as puyr bodeis that failzeis in ony part forsaid, incon-
tinent to be bannist the toun, and neuer to be resseit in the sarayn agane.
And all suspect places to be closit wp and [ ] nalit, baith zettis and
durrs. To the obseruing and keping of all the points forsaid, all the haill
toun being present for the tym, fre, on fre, hes maid the aitht of fidelite,
be thair hand wphaldin in jugement, the haly croce tuichit, eury man be
him self to obserue and keip all and sindrie the ponts and artikilles forsaid,
baitht of this statut and of all the laif afor wrytin, without fraud or gile, and
hereto bund and obleist thaira be the fathis in thair bodies ; and quhasa
happynis to failze in ony poynt forsaid, to underly the panis contenit in the
said statut, but favour or request euer to be hard in the contrar.
And, attour, the said toun, euerilk man be himself, fre and onfre, hes
maid faytht, the gret aith suorne in iugement, neuer to rewele to na maner
of personis the secreits and counsel of this guyd toun, sa far as thai heir
and is schawin to thaim, and in speciale, the artiklis and ponts ^ ]
presentlie, quhilks is hot for thair iust defence, to ewaid and vmchow tru-
bill of thair innymeis, sua that thai may lef, as the kingis trew burges
and seruandis, at peis and rist, but inquisitioun and trubill of thair ewill
awisit nychtbours.
And siclik, ilk ane of the said toun hes obleist thame be the tenor of
thair aitht, to be leill and trew to the prouest and guydtoun ; and quhat-
euer thai heir, se, or can get witting of, quhilkis may be ony skaitht to the
toun, prouest, bailzeis, counsell, or till ony nychtbour of the samyn, that
thai cum in continent, and rewele the samyn quietlie to the prouest, and
wame thair nychtbours of thair skaitht, lyiks as all trew kirsinmen suld
do vnhealiet, till vthirs, and speciale nychtbours and brithirs, within ane
gude toune duelland.
1st August^ 1530.
The first day of August, the yeir of God ane thousand fiwe hundreth
and XXX yeirs, the haile tovn convenit within the tolbuth of the samyn beand
warnit be the hand bell and officiars, on the quhilk the belman and officiars
maid faith in jugement, thay beand circualie inquirit be Maister Dauid
Nicholsoun, scrybe of the court, be command of the provest and baillies,
seand and considerand the cruell slauchters, murthers, and oppressionis,
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 449
done to thame and to thair nichtbours be gentlemen of the cuntre, statut 1st August,
and ordanit, all in ane voce, that euerilk nichtbour, within this tovn ^®^^-
duelland, suld haue abilzement, according to his faculte, reddy for suirite
of his persoun and defence or this gude tovn, that eury abill man suld weyr
daily his wapyn on his persoun, vnto the tyme that remeid be fundin how this
gude toun may [ ] acquyit of sic cruel oppressionis ; and that eury crafts
man haue his wapyn, that is to say, dens aix or halbart, besyd him in his
workin hous, and quhen he passis to the gait to turs the samin in his hand,
or ellis sum fensable wapyn on his persoun, sua that thay be abill at all
tymes to debait thame self, thair nichtbours, and this gude tovn : and quhay
sa breks this statut, for the first fait sail pay viii s. to the tovnis vnlaw
vnforgewin, the secund fait to pay the said vnlaw, and to be reputit part
takkar with the townis enymeis, the third fait to be banest the toun vnfor-
gewin.
Xiii die mens. Junij anno Dom. millesimo quingess™° xxxiii, the said day,
it is statut and ordanit, be the provest, bailzeis, consale, and communite
present for the tyme, representand the haill body of the tovin, conforme to
the auld louable consuetud and ryit of this burgh, and of the noble burgh
of Edinburgh, of the quhilk ryit and consuetud the said provest hes gottin
the copy in writ ; that is to say, in the honour of God and the blissit Vir-
gine Mary, the craftismen of this burgh sail, in thair best arraye, keip and
decoir the processionis on XXi [Corpus Christi] day and Candelmes day
als honorabillie as tha cane, euery craft with thair avin banar, with the
armes of thair craft thairin, with thair pegane ; and tha sail pas, ilk craft
be thame self, tua and tua, in this ordour : that is to say, in the first, the
fleschars, and nixt thame the harbours, nixt thame the skynnars and
furriours togydder, nixt thame the cordonars, nixt thame the tailzours, nixt
thame the wobstris, valcars, and litstars togidder, nixt thame the baxtris,
nixt thame the wrichtis, masonis, sclaters, and coupers togidder, and last,
and nixt the sacrament, passis all the smithis and hammyrmen. And
euery craft in the said processionis sail furneiss thair pegane and banar
honestlie as eifers, conforme to the auld statut maid in the yeir of God
jaj v«= and tene yers, quhilk statut was maid be the haill counsale, and
approwit be the craftsmen of the tovne for the tyme, for thame and
thair successours, and oblegit to keip the same, vndir the pane of xl s., to
Sanct Nicholas wark, and the bailzeis vnlaw, unforgevin, to be takin oup
460 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
1st August, of thame that beis without ane ressonabill causs fra the processioun, or that
^^^- maks truble or perturbatioun thairin, to the quhilkis tha war oblist, be thar
handis vphaldin in iugment ; and the provest, bailzeis, and counsale, pre-
sent for the tyme, now as afor, ratifies and affirmis this present statut,
and the panis afor written ; for the first fait, and for the secund fait, the
committar thairof to be bannest the tovn for zeir and day ; and this present
to be inuiolabellie in all tymes to cum.
22d May, 1531.
The said day, it was statut and ordanit, be the prouest, bailyeis, and
counsale, present for the tyrae, conforme to the auld lovabill consuetudis
and rytt of this burgh, and of the nobill burgh of Edinburgh, of the quhilkis
rite and consuetude the forsaid prouest hes gotin copy in write : that is
to say, that, in the honour of God and the blessit Virgin Marye, the
craftismen of this burgh, in thair best array, keipe and decoir the pro-
cessioun on Corpus Cristi dais, and Candilmes day, als honorabillye as
thai can, euery craft with thair awin baner, with the armes of thair craft
thairin, and thai sal pas ilk craft be thame self, tua and tua, in this ordour :
that is to say, in the first the flescharis, and nixt thame the barbouris ;
nixt thame, skynnaris and furrowris togidder ; nixt thame, the cordonaris ;
nixt thame, the tailzouris ; efter thame, the vobstaris, valcaris, and litsters
togidder ; nixt thame, the baxstaris ; and last of all, nearest the Sacrament,
passis all hemmermen ; that is to say, smythis, wrichtis, masonis, cuparis,
sclateris, goldsmythis, and armouraris ; and euery ane of the said craftis,
in the Candilmes processioun, sail furneiss thair pageane, conforme to the
auld statut, maid in the yeir of God jai v'' and x yeris, quhilk statut was
maid with the avise of the haile consale, and approvit be the craftismen
of the toune for the tyme, for thame and thair successeris, and oblist thame
to the keping of the samyn, vnder the pane of xl s., and the balzeis vnlaw
unforgevin, to be vptakin of thame that beis absent, hot ane resonabill
causs, fra the said processioun, or that makkis trubill or perturbatioun
thairin, to the quhilkis thai ar oblist, be thair handis vphaldin in iuge-
ment ; and the prouest, bailzeis, and counsale, present for the tyrae, ra-
tifeis and approvis this present statut, and the panis contenit thairin, to be
kepit inviolablye in all maner, in tyme cuming.
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 461
The craftis ar chargit to furneiss thair panzeanis vnder writtin : 22d May,
The flescharis, Sanct Bestian and his Tormentouris i^i-
The barbouris, Sanct Lowrance and his Tormentouris
The skynnaris, Sanct Stewin and his Tormentouris
The cordinaris, Sanct Martyne
The tailzeouris, the Coronatioun of Our Lady
Litstaris, Sanct Nicholes
Wobstaris, walcaris, and bonet makaris, Sanct John
Baxtaris, Sanct Georg.
Wrichtis, messonis, sclateris, and cuparis, The Resurrectioun
The smithis and hemmirmen to furneiss The Bearmen of the Croce.
2ith November, 1533.
The said day, the court vardit and schew for law, and is gevin for dovra
be the mouth of NichoU Bagis, dempster of the court for the tyme, that
Robert Vans, air to umquhile James Vaus, his fayther broyther, and John
Pill, his curatour for his interess, hes provin sufficientlie that the said
umquhile James Vaus had thir gudis underwritin in his possessioun at his
last deperting furth of Scotland : that is to say, ane gray horss, ane sadill,
ane bridill, ane pair of butis with spurris, ane gluif of plait, ane svord, ane
jak of plait, ane dens aix, ane knapiscaw, ane dagar, ane bonnet, ane het,
ane brovnn govn lynit with blak lamyskynnis, ane dobblet of blak worset
with forslevis of blak weluet, ane sark, ane pair reid hois, ane jakat cot of
blak sarge, ane gelcot of Ingliss reid begareit with blak ueluet, ane grit
dubble compter, ane forme, ane dornik burd claith, ane bassing, ane lawar,
ane siluer spone, ane raasar of siluer, ane almry, ane quart, ane poynt, ane
chopin of tyne, ane chargour, ane plait, ane disch on salsar of tyne, ane
brew caddrovn, ane grit pane, ane smale pane, ane grit pot, ane small pot,
ane cruik, ane spit [ ] ane chandelar, ane ladill, ane havil cruik, ane
tangis, ane brew fatt, ane geill fat, ane flesche fat, ane fische fat, ane stand,
ane bukat, ane wavrscaw, ane skayne for the buitht, ane pair of woll weyiss,
ane pair of ballendis of brass, ane fedder bed with bostar, ane pair of
shetis, ane pair of blanketis, ane [ ] of ymage wark, ane cod, ane
raantill, ane wheill, ane par of woll camis, ane pair of cardis, ane kameiry
stok, ane girdill, ane baik bread, and an pair of pepris queires ; and at the
gudis afore writin perteins to the said Robert in airschip.
452 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
1st December, 1st December j 1534.
1534. qij^g g^jjj jg^y^ ^^g counsale present for the tym, ordanet Johnn Tulidef
to pas and play thro the townn, as the auld use hes bene of the towns men-
strallis, quhill the law day eftir Yowill ; and he to haue the auld vage thar-
for, quhil the towin convein, the said day to fee him, gif they think expe-
dient for the tym.
22<f January i 1535.
The said day, the prouest and counsale, in name of the haill tovn, tharof
thar exprest comand and chais gevin and grantit to thame, convenit,
and elect Johne Tulidef and Willie Murray, to the tovnis coraand
raenstrallis, during the tovnis will ; Quhilk personis sail serve the guid tovn,
as use hes bene in tymes bigane ; and sail pas, every day, thro all the rewis
and stretis of the guid tovn, at five hours in the morining and betuix aucht
and nyn at evin ; quhilk thai suore to do lelie and trulie : fFor the quhilk, tha
[sal] haue ther dalie meit of the nychtbors of the guid tovin, and, ilk day,
of euery burgess of gild, thay eit with, xvj d., and of euery craftisman
xij d. ; and sal pas thro all thi tovin, and slip na man ; and quha refuss to
gif thame meit and drink, sail gif them dobble vaigis ; and quhen tha gat
doble vagis, tha sal lef that day on the vaige, and pas to na man for meit
and vaig that day.
20th April, 1535.
The said day, it is thocht expedient, and ordanit be the consale, that all
the yoving able men within this guid [tovin], haue thair grene cottis ; and
agit men, honest cottis, efi'erand to thame ; and obey and decor the Lordis
of Bonaccord, conform to the auld lovable vse of this guid tovn, under the
painis of braking of commands and statutis of the guid tovin, that beis con-
vickit tharof, and to be punest conform tharto.
list June, 1538.
The sayd day, Walter Hay, goldsmyth, dekyne of hemermen, comperit
in judgment, and complenit to the balyes, allegiand wrang don to thaim be
the ameraris, in usurping of thair place in the processioun of Corpus Xri,
this day, and ganging behind thame, aganis the comond ordinance and
statuts of this nobill burght, and all the borrowis within this realm ; re-
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 463
quyrand thaim for remeyd of law ; protesting, gyf thai refusit, that it be 2ist June,
lesum to call the said armerars befor gugis sperituall or temporal, and for ^^^•
remeid of law.
29M May, 1541.
The ante penult day of Mali, the yher forsaid, it was fundyn and deter-
mynit be the lynaris anence the debatis betuex Johne Henrisone Culane on
that a partie, and Johne Nachty, twcheing thair landis Hand in the Gas-
traw, on that othir partie. In the first, quhar Johne Nachty compleignes
that Johne Henrysone has wrangit him makand a causay and guttar til his
bakwall of his house, the quhilke suld stand, as he saiis, forthir furthe than
it dois, thai fynd that the forsaid John Henrysone wrangis nocht as yeit, hot
eftirwart, quhen he ripis his grond forther, giue he kan get ony forthir
document of grond, he sal haue than be lynaris that resone will. Alsua,
to the corbale of the vther side of Johne Henrysounes forhous, thai find
that it is sett to ferr in apon John Nachty. Item, thai fynd that the gavill
of Johne Henrysones thenortir houss standis all hale upon John Nachtiis
grond, and the wall that is on southe halfe Johne Henrysones nethir yheit
standis apon John Nachtiis grond.
27?A October, 1541.
The said day, John Herkill, Malcolm Herkill, Jno. Germond, Patre
Cults, John Donald, James Dowe, James Prestonne, Alexr. Robertsonn,
Gawane Wishert, Wm. Ingrm, Hare Robtson, Sande Mechelsonn, and
David Reidheid, cordonars, thai and ilk ane of thanie war conuikit be the
sworne assiss aboun wrytine for the braking of commond ordinans and
statutis of this gud toun of the warkmaschip, in selling of insufficiet schoine
and mekill darrar than the statutis maid obefoir proportes, aganes the com-
mond Weill, quharfor thai war and ilk ane of thame in amerciament of court
to ferbeir in tyme cuming, and amend as law, and that was gewin for dome.
And becaus it was considerit be the prowest, bailies, and counsel, that the
ledder is darrar nor it hed wont to be, thai haf dispensit with the said
craftismen, and hes lycent thaim to sell thair schoine, quhill thai be forther
awysit, of the prycis efter following: that is to say, the best dowbill solit
schoine thai can mak for men for xxviii d. at the hiast, uthirs for xxvi d.
or twa schillingis, efter the qualite and quantitie of the person that byie,
and the best singill solit schoine thai can mak for xx d,, and uthirs for xviii
3 N
454 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
-Tth October, d. and xvi d. ; the best doubill scholit for women thai can mak for xx d.,
1541. jjyjjj j^^ Qj. jj^j ^^^ g^gj. their qualite and quantite that byis, and thair singill
scholit schon for xiiii d., xii. d., and uthirs for x d. ; item, barnis schone within
xii yeir aid for x d., uthirs for viii d. or v d., efter the eild and qualitie of
the barne. And this act to remane induring the touns will : and quhat
craftisman that braks the samyn, the rest of his wrought ledder to be escheitt,
and furthyr to be punyst as law will.
1 7th April, 1545.
The said day, the prouest, bailyeis, and counsale, present for the tyme,
admittit Johne Tulidef, menstrale, to his place he had afor ; and ordanit
him to be adjunct to the tother tua, that are now instantlie in office, and
ordanit thame to play thre partis, and to haue ther meit, all thre, about in
the tovn, as tha had afor, and to haue thar auld wagis, and na man be com-
pellit to eik thar wagis, hot at thar avin plesor, as tha think expedient.
22rf February, 1546.
The said day, the above assise, all in ane voice, by John Leslie of Bal-
quhain, their chancellor, convicted the said William, for the wrongous brak-
ing of the acts and statutes, in buying of wine contrary therto, and selling
said wine before the price was set therupon by the baillies and council, and
for the disobeying and breaking of the baillies command given to him there-
anent, wherefor he is in an amerciament of the court to forbear in time to
come, and mend as law will, and that is given for doom, be the mouth of
James Pentland, dempster of court for the time ; and further, it is found
and deliuered by the said assise, all in ane voce, the said John Lesly chan-
cellor, that the haill four pots of wine bought be the said William for the
time, and received by him and his customers, be sold, but not draw more
than viii d. the pint, considering the profits therof, and other reasonable
causes moving them for the time.
The baillies and council modified the unlaws to iiii lib. v s. iiii d. Scots
money, viz., the surplus of his pot of wine which he took more for
the same than 8d. the pint, and ordained the officer to pass and poind
the said William's radiest goods for the same, and mak penny tharof, and
payment of the said £4 5s. 8d. to the dean of guild in the town's name, within
eight days ; and also declared and ordained the said William to desist in
time to come from all buying of wine and topping of wine by himself, his
OF^THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 455
wife, and serwants, and all others in his name, while he obtains licence of 22d February,
new of the baillies and council, under the pain of escheating of the wine. ^^^•
25tk June, 1546.
The said day, the haill litstaris of this burgh chesit Alexander Fresser,
litstar, thair dekyne of the said craft for this instant yeir ; quhilk accepit
the said office on him, and is sworne the grit ayth to exerce the same lelie
and treuelie, dureing the said yeir ; and the bailyeis interponit thair aucto-
rite tharto, and ordanit thame to haue thar banar and Pagane, as uther
craftis of the said burgh hes, ilk yeir, on Corpus Xhri day, and Candilmess
dayis processiounis, under the paines contenit in the statut maid tharupon.
22d May, 1548.
The said day, Robert Howieson, walcar, is convikit be the suorn assise
aboun writen, for the spilling of the townis knok of the tolbuith, and als
for the stroublance of the guid toun, in making of insurrekccionis with
certane craftismen agains the burgesses of the said town, and the feit men
of weir. And als [ ] Hervy is convikit be the same forme assise
for the saying of injurious language on the men of guid of the toun, and
of the feit men of weir, and capitane thairof ; ilk ane of thame is in amer-
ciament of the court to forber in tyme to cum, and mend as law will, and
that is gevin for doum. And the said Howeson is ordinit to reforme and
mend the said knok be the sycht of craftismen, so far as he has skaythit
hir in ony sort ; and for the offens done be him and Harvy to the toun,
the assise ordinis thame baith to cum one Sonday cum viii dais, and gang
sark alane, bar fuit and bair leg, afor the procession, with ane candill of
wax of ane lib. weycht in thair handis, ilk ane of thame ; and thairefter to
ask the provost and bailzies forgiflPens one thair kneis, in the towns name ;
and gif ere ony of thame committis ony siclik in tymes cumyng, to be
hornet on the cheik, and bannest the town, during the towns will. And
ethir of thame ordinit to find caution herfor er tha depart of the tolbuith.
Zd August, 1548.
My lord provost and baillies of this guid town of Aberden, onto your ma-
jestic, humelie meins and complains, that my servand, Robert Atken, indwel-
lar and nychtbour of this guid toun, that quheras in the month of September,
the yeir of God 1547 that wes, I was, in the quenis grace, presente at
456 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
3d August, the raid of Pinkincleucht, with wtheris diuerss of this guid toun ; and afor
1548. ^|jg tyme of the passing to the field thairof, I gaif in keeping to my boye
and servand for the tyme, callit Alexander Vassy, ane gray horss pertenin
to me, worth xii merks Scottis raone, with sadill, bridall, hors herness and
harnessing, quhilk was worth ane angell nobill, till have bein keipit to me
quhill my metin with the said boy againe ; and efter the [ ] of
the field forsaid, John Tullideff wrangously, and aganis the law, tuik and
intromettit with my said hors and harnesing aboun writen, and withaldis
the same fra me to this hour, to my grit damage and skaith : Beseikand,
hcrefore, your majestie to compel the said John Tullideff to restoir and de-
liver again to me my gray horss, with his bridill, horss hernss, sadill and
bridill aboun, als guid as thai war the time he intromettit therwith, or
ellis to pay therfor for the soums aboun written, less or mair, samekill as
the said John will grant or I may sufficiently preif, togidder with my ex-
pensis made and to be made in the purssuit hereof, and xiid. for my horss
laur that 1 want eilk day sensin, conform to justice, aquite, and guid cus-
tom, and this my peticioun to have the strenth of ane brogh.
9th November, 1548.
The said day, it is founden and deliveret be the suorne assise aboun
writen, Maister Robert Lumsden, the chancelor, that Johne Tullideff sail
deliver and pay to Robert Atkin fourty s. Scotes money, for the gray horss
intrometit with the day of the field of Pykincleucht, and vi s., money for-
said, for the said horss harnesing, betwix this and Yowill next cumis, and
discharges the remanent price of the said horss and harnessing for evir ;
and gif the said horss hapens to be apprehended efteruart, the said Johne
to haue him and right thairof.
4th June, 1553.
The said day, the deykn and haill craft of the srayths wer convickit, be
ane suorne assis, for the disobeying of the baillies in refusing contempur-
indlie to gang in ordour in the processioun of Corpus- Xris day last bipast,
befor the sacrament, as thai yeid in ordor, the yeir immediatlie bypast ;
and the baillies war maid quit, be the said asses, of all strublens of the said
craft : and it wes gevin for dome.
The said day, Alexander Kempt, dekyn of the baxtar craft, protestit in
OF THE BURGH OF ABERDEEN. 457
name of the said haill craft, that quhat the baillies did on Corpus Xris day 4th June,
that last was, or yit hes done sensyne, anent the rewling and ordiring of i^*^-
the passage of craftismen in the processioun the said day, be nocht pre-
judicial to thair prevelege observit obefoir, hot thai ma haf the samyn or-
dour keipit that uther principall burrowis of this realme observis, conforme
to the aid statuts and actis maid therupoun ; upoune the quhilk he desyrit
act of court and instrument : and Jerome Blak, dekyne of the couparis,
James Hunt, in name of the haill smythis, protestit in lyk maner as is
aboun vrittin.
21 5^ May, 1554.
The said day, Andro Bisset, dekin of the wrychtis, William Jamesoune,
dekyne of the masonis, and Jerome Blak, dekin of the cowperis, comperit
in jugement, and exponit to the bailies, quhow that Johnne Jenour, thair
officiar, at thair comand, had chargit thame, and thair haill craftis, to pass
in order upoun Corpus Xri day now approcheand, in the processioun, by
the aid maner and ordor ; that is to say, to pass be thame selffis, and with
the sklateris, all togidder, havand ane honest baner and Pagane of thair
awin, immediatlie befor the smythis and vtheris hamyrmen ; quhair thai had
wont to gang, with the said smythis, as thai allegit, all togidder, under ane
baner and Pegane ; and producit ane statitut maid theruppone, of the dait
the xxii day of May, the yeir of God m. v*= xxxi yeir : And Williame
Robertsone, dekin of the smythis, comperit in judgement, and allegit thai
war in vse of gangging be thame selffis in the said processione, vnder thair
awin baner, hindmaist and nixt the Sacrament, and the saids wrychtis,
masouns, cowperis, and sklaiteris to proceid togidder befoir thame, under
ane baner and pegane, separat fra the saids smythtis, and producit ane
statitut maid threupon, of the dayt the xiij day Junii, the yeir of God m. v"=
xxxiij yeris : And the baillies decernit and ordaint the last statitut to be
observyt and keipit, under the panes contenit in the same, becaus thai all
wer present, and consentit therto, and oblist thame to obscrf the same, as
the said statitut proportis at lyntht : And the saidis wrychtis, masonis,
cowperis, and sklayteris protestit that quhat the baillies dois or decernis
this day, anent the ordor forsaid, mak na dirogacioune to the forsaid statitut
first maid, producit be thame in judgement, bot that thai may haf thair aid
prevelege observit, and for remcid of law, quhen tyme and place rcquiris ;
and Alexander Kempt, dekyne of the baxieris, allegit inlykwyiss, that thai
468 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
2i8t May, ar put by thair rowme and ordour vsit obefor, and protestit sicklyk, that
^***" quhat be done this yeir be the baillies, anent the said ordor, hurt thame
nocht in tym cumyn.
IStk January f 1556.
My lord provost, &c., humbly means and complains, we, William Fraser,
son and heir to vmquhile Alexander Fraser, burgess of Aberdeen, who
died in the field of Pinchincleucht, and Euphan Lowson, the relict of the
said Alexander, upon Alexander Tough, dwelling in Craigern, being under
your jurisdiction in an town of justice, that where in the month of Sep-
tember, or thereby, in the year of God 1547, the said Alexander intromitted
with the goods and gear under written, pertaining to me, the said William,
as heirship, by decease of my father : that is to say, a black cloak, begirt
with velvet, the price therof £16 ; item, a culverine, the price thereof £5 ;
item, two English bows and a sheaflF full of arrows, the price thereof £4 ;
item, three sarks of Holland cloth, price thereof £3 ; item, a doublet of
[ ], price thereof [ ] ; item a black fustean doublet, price thereof
[ ] ; item, two pair of hose of French black, price thereof £5 ; item, a gray
horse with harnessing, the price thereof 20 merks ; and siclike intromitted
with twenty ells of linen, the price of the ell 3 ss. ; and £20 furth of the
said Alexander's purse, pertaining to him, and now pertaining to me, the
said Euphane, as executrix to my said umquhil spouse ; which goods and
gear above written were in the said umquhil Alexander's possession imme-
diately before his decease in the said field of Pinchinclucht, and then intro-
mitted with by the said Alexander Tough, wherefore the court wards
and shaws for law, and it was given for doom, that Alexander Tough, in
month of September, or thereby, in the year 1547, intromitted with an
black cloak, begirt with velvit, worth 8 merks ; a culverine, worth 4 merks ;
and 15 ells of linnen cloth, worth 30 sh., pertaining to vmquhile Alexander
Eraser, and now pertaining to his wife and bairns thro his decease, where-
fore the baillies ordain the said Alexander, and Mr. Robert Lumsden, his
surety, to restore the said gear or the value thereof forsaid to William
Fraser, son and heir, and Euphan Lowson, the relict of the said Alexander,
within term of law.
29th May, 1556.
The said day, the counsell ordanit that the aid statut be observit and
1556.
OF THE BUEGH OF ABEKDEEN. 459
keipit, anent the ordor of the processioune of the craftsmen one Corpus 29th May.
Xris day nixt cumis, under the panis conteinit in the said statut. ""^
17 th August^ 1562.
The said day, comperit in jugement ane rycht honorabill man, James
Creychtoun of Frendraucht, and allegit him grytlie skaythit and defraudit
in his minorite and nonage in diuerss contrakis, obligationis, and vtheris
effearis in diuerss contrackis, obligationis, done be him, without, he allegis,
ane consent of his curatouris, to his gryt hurt, and specialie anent the tak-
ing in assedacioun of Maister Johne Lesly, persone of Ovne, the fruits of
the vicarage of Forge, for yeirlie payment of thre scoir fourtene merkis ; for
the quhilkis he hes obleist himself to the said Maister Johne, and thairfor
reuokit the same in speciall, and all other thingis in generall, done be him to
his hurt in his minoritie ; vpoun the quhilk he tuk act of court and instru-
ment. »
Uth May, 1565.
The said day, Johnne Kelo, belman, maid faytht in jugement that he,
at command of the prowest and baillies, past, on Setterday wes viij dais,
viz. the V day of Mail, and on Setterday last was, viz. the xij day of Maii,
throw all the rewis and gettis of this toune, be oppen voce, and maid in-
hibitioune to all burges men, craftismen, and all utheris, inhabitantis and
induellaris of the said toune, that nane of thame tak upone hand to mak
ony conventione, with taburne plaing, or pype, or fedill, or have anseinges,
to convene the quenis legis, in chusing of Robin Huid, Litill Johnne,
Abbot of Ressoune, Queyne of Maii, or sicklyk contraveyne the statutis
of parliament, or mak ony tumult, seism, or conventione.
The said day, James Masar, Lourens Masar, Methow Guild, Thomas
Huntayr, and Andrew Wysman, wer convickit for the cumyng throw the
toune, upon Sunday last wes, eftir none, with ane menstrall playand befor
thaim, throch the Gallowgett, in contemptioune of the townis actis and pro-
clamaciouns maid obefoir, and breaking of the actis of parliament, and con-
travening of the same ; quherfor thai wer put in amerciament of court, and
wer ordanit to remane in the tollbuth, quhill thai find sourtie for fulfilling
and satisfeing of the emends to be modifyt be the consel.
460 EXTRACTS FROM THE COUNCIL REGISTER
18th May, I8th May., 1565.
1565,
The sayd day, the consell present for the tyme, being convenit to decern
anent the emendis and punyshment of James Masar, Loureus Masar,
sadlar, Mathow Guild, armerar, Andrew Wysman, cordinar, and Thomas
Huntar, cutlar, quhilk ar convickit for conterapning and dissobeying of the
townis actis and ordinans obefoir, and contravening of the actis of parlia-
ment, the counsall, ryply adwysit, considering the said attemptat, and
ground quharof the same proceidit, to be to genir schism and discord with-
in the burgh, dischargit the saidis personis of thair fredome, and fra all
exercitioune of thair crafts, conforrae to the act of parliament ; and ordanis
publict proclamacioun to be maid heirupoun ; and the consell alsua statut
and ordanit, with consent of the haill toun present for the tyme, that na
craftisman be maid fre for sewin yeirs to cum, except fremenis sonis.
25th August, 15*6.
The said day, the maist pairt of the counsell being present for the tyme,
grantit to thair seruitor, Johnne Cowper, ane yeirlie pensioune of sax
markis, vsuall money of Scotland, induring his lyftyme, for his seruice to be
done to the tovne in tym cumyng, in playing upone the swesche, als weill in
tyme of weir as in tyme of peace, and sport and play, as the tovne thinkis
expedient and hes ado ; he being aduerteissit and requirit thairto ; the first
terme of payment to begyne at the feist and terme of Witsonday last bypast,
in respect of his seruice done to the tovne bygane : and ordanis the thesau-
rar to obay him thairoff, yeirlie and terralie in tym cuming.
INDEX.
INDEX.
Aberbrothoc, 55, 58, 204, 233, 408.
Aberdeen, 5, 11, 13, 16, 17, 20, et pas-
sim.
Aberdene, Gawyne, bischop of, 110, 111,
119, 126,127,139,140.
Aberdene, Old, 55, 118, 171, 184, 218,
238, 263, 306.
Aberdour, William, 43, 104.
Abirbothnot, Hugo, 374.
Abircromy, Johne, 288, 289.
Abirdour, 186.
Abirgeldy, lard of, 10.3,129, 130.
Achnahufe, 408.
Achneve, Walter, 41, 44.
Adanisone, Dauy, 429-
Adysone, Dauid, 63.
Ailsik, 46, 47.
Alanson, Sandy, 44.
Alanus, Johannes, 38f).
Albany, Johne, Duke of, 444.
Albany, Robert, Duke of, 382.
Alexander, bischop of Aberden, 47.
Allardes, of that ilk, 430.
Aliardes, Joannes, subprior, Carmelita-
rum de Abirdene, 284.
Allardes, Schyr James, provost of Lady-
kirk of the Heuch, 54.
Alloway, 208.
Ancram, Richard, mason to Sanct Nico-
lacewark, .39,41,42.
Ancroft, William, in Grippis Wald, 33 1.
Anderson, Dane, doctour in the graiu-
uiar skuhill, 266.
Anderson, Schir Androu, chaplan of ve
Rude altar, 31, .33,408.
Andersone, Dauid, 92, 98,99, 104, 105,
106,112,114,118, 119, 123,126,129,
1.35, 137, 144, 145, 148, 149, 15.3,154,
162, 169, 170, 171, 172, 174, 179,184,
192, 194,199,208,209,211,212,218,
220, 225, 239, 241, 249, 252, 253,261,
271,357,364,443,445.
Andersone, James, 285.
Andersone, Jonhne, 85, 92, 99, 105. 1 19,
124, 135, 137, 404.
Andersone, William, 64, 155, 162, 172,
429.
Andersonne, Marjory, 353, 354.
Andersoun, Maister Robert, 218, 303.
.352, 353.
Andree, Helen, Egiptian, 167, 168.
Andree, Johannes, 374, 376, 388.
Andree, Willelmus, 374, 376, 410.
Androwis, Sanct, 55, 204, 233, 241, 243,
244, 245, 246, 399-
Angouss, Archibald, Earle of, chancellor
of Scotlande, 53, 55, 421.
Anguss, Lord of, 115.
Annan, Georg, pondler of the town's
kirkyard, 149.
Annand, Maister Thomas, 167, 168, 195.
200, 208, 215, 229.
Annand, Maister Thomas, chaiplane of
Sanct Johne the Ewangellist alter, 293.
Annanderdaill, 247.
Arbroath, Lord of, 49.
Ardeforke, 418.
Ardlar, 117, 118, 119, 126, 127- 128.
152, 1.53, 184, 194, 195,197, 198, 199
294, 307.
464
INDEX.
Arly, 54.
Arnage, 229-
Arnache, Robertus de, 374
Arrott, Dauid, 165, 156, 157, 273.
Arthour, Johne, 92, 104, 105, 123, 162,
163.
Arthour, Robert, 243, 251.
Arthur, John, 156, 157-
Atkinsone, Jhone, 44.
Atkynsoun, Johannes, 388.
Auchery, in Crowdan, 339-
Auchinhamperis, 138.
Auchintoull, 102, 138.
Auchterless, Robert, 44.
Audene, Andrew, 44.
Auldcorne, Johne, frier, 251.
Austrie, Archeduk of, 67.
Avandale, Earl of, 395.
Ayncroft, Andro, 17, 44, 50, 56, 401, 404.
Badenach, Patricius de, 6, 8, 17, 32, 33,
401, 404.
Badenagh, Master Johne, 420.
Bagis, Nicholl, dempster of court, 45 1 .
Baidenach, 22, 208, 214.
Bailsert, Jonett, 285, 286.
Baine, Johnne, 243.
Balfuir, Martene, 307.
Balgony, 138.
Balkairne, 409.
Balnacrag, Myll of, 193.
Balrony, Stephanus de, 391-
Bandone, Donald, 425.
Banerman, Alexander, 79, 374, 379.
Banerman, Edmunde, 406.
Banerman, Johne, 46.
Banerman, Johne, of Ailsik, 46, 47.
Banerman, William, 399, 400.
Baonerman, Shir Ingerame, chapellane
of Sanct Clementis Chapele, 75.
Banf, 50, 64, 161, 214, 23.3.
Banquhorie, 338, 349.
Baptista, Barbara Dya, Egiptian, 167, 1 68
Barbour, Thomas, 172.
Barbours Obits, 55.
Bard, Thomas, 421, 422.
Bamess, 138, 327.
Barrow, Patrik of SpitalEeld, 233.
Barry, James of, 39.
Bartoun, Johne, Procuratour, 100.
Bartoun, Robert, Comptroller of Scot-
land, 100.
Bawithan, 349.
Bawne, Henry, 413.
Baxter, Mody, 425.
Baxter, Patricius, 388.
Bayard, Simone, 375, 377.
Bell, Maister John, 231.
Belman, Philp, 75.
Belty, Williame, 59, 417,
Benyn, Adam, 372, 374, 376.
Benyn, Simon de, 374, 376, 377, 385,386.
Berclay, Alexander de Garntuly, 388-
Berne, Henry, 44.
Bervy, 5.
Berwick, 68, 238.
Beryhill, Johne, 440.
Birss, 136.
Birss, Duncane of, 406.
Bissat, Maister Johne, maister of the
Grammar Skuill, 122.
Blabre, Simon, 8.
Blair, Allan, 349, 350.
Blair, Thomas, dempster of court, 212,
215, 220, 224.
Blak, Jerome, 253, 457.
Blak, John, frier, 249, 251, 265.
Blak, John, singar, 239, 301, 313, 314,
325, 370.
Blak, Jhone, 44, 48, 49, 63, 64, 66, 69,
78, 83, 92, 99, 1 05, 1 1 4, 1 1 9, i 23, 1 33,
149, 390, 425, 443.
Blak, William, in Newburght, 357.
Blakhall, Robert, 184.
Blar, Nichole of, Personne of Dunottir,
. 6.
Blindsele, Robert, 26, 27, 33, 38, 43, 48,
56, 57, 61, 6.3, 64, 66, 67, 69, 71, 73,
400, 409, 420, 423, 430.
Blinschel, Alexander, 32, 79, .349, 401,
405.
Blyndseil, John, 17, 404.
Blyndseil, Thomas, 17, 389.
Bodiger, Henrik, skipper of ane schipe
of Trailsound, 333, 334.
Bogferloche, 68, 148, 279.
INDEX.
465
Bonaccord, 59, 117, 140, 141, 149, 150,
156, 157, 160, 164, 177, 180, 221, 258,
279, 280, 395, 432, 435, 440, 445, 452.
Boquhane, 112, 115, 116, 195, 247, 264,
307, 397, 454.
Borthwik, Maister David, procuratour,
346.
Borthwik, William, Lord, 54.
Borthwyk, Willelraus, 372, 374.
Bothwale, Erie of, 57-
Bothwall, James Erie, Gryt Admirall
of Scotland, 297.
Bothwall, Patrik Erie, 166, 248.
Bothwill, Johannes, 375, 376.
Bothwill, Maister Richard, channovn of
Glasgow, 139.
Boyis, Maister Hector, 121.
Boyl, Richard, clerk, Abirden, 35, 45.
Branch, Mathow, 51, 79, 84, 92, 104,
123, 125, 154, 157, 440.
Branche, Andro, 41, 48, 56, 409, 413,
416, 423, 424.
Brechin, 55, 204, 233, 408.
Brechyn, Johannes de, 371.
Bricius, filius Duncani, 388.
Brisbane, Thom., 382.
Broiss, King Robert, 54, 303.
Brone, George, 43, 419.
Broun, William, in Blakhouse, 339-
Bruchty, castele of, 263, 266.
Bruges, 18, 389, 404.
Bryane, Mariorie, 309-
Buchan, Johne of, 44.
Buchan, Robert of, 43, 413.
Buchane, Schir Johne, 107.
Buchane, William, 430, 431.
Buk, Andro, 173, 253, 254, 256, 257,
269, 283, 305, 311, 319, 326, 331,
332, 344, 351.
Burghis, 131, 132, 135, 138.
Burgunzie, Duke of, 410, 426.
Burnat, Alexander, his sone, 51.
Burnat, Alexander, of Leis, 51.
Burnat, Symon, 316.
Burnatt, Alexander, alias Potter, 343.
Burnett, Mr. James, 301, 319-
Burrale, Thomas, baxter, 206.
Bynne, Sir Robert, cheplane and singar,
289.
Bynne, Sir Thomas, 82.
Byrnes, 113.
Byrowne, 99, 100.
Byssat, Moris, 44.
Bysset, George, 63, 69, 79, 80, 84, 85, 86,
92, 105, 114, 120, 123, 135, 153, 162,
169, 171, 179, 196, 199,262,303,443,
Cabbrach, 24.
Cadiow, Master Andro, 41, 43.
Cadiow, William, 17, 394, 395, 406, 407.
Caithness, 139.
Caithness, Androw, bischope of, 139.
Caldell, James, portioner of Achintovie,
138.
Camera, Thomas, 400.
Camera, Willelmus de, filius, 374, 387.
Camera, Willelmus de, pater, 374, 376,
377.
Cameron, Johannes, 5, 6.
Campheir in Zeland, 310, 404, 427.
Cargile, Dauid, dean of i^ild, 357-
Cargile, Johne, 222, 26 1'.
Carnbrogy, 186.
Carnegy, Robert, 263.
Carnifex, Thomas, 374.
Cassilis, Gilbert, Erie of, 296.
Castelgate, 35, 44, 66, 90, 96, 105, 325.
Castellhill, 54, 110, 122, 130, 147, 180,
360,361.
Caydow, Master John of, 7, 19, 400.
Chklnier, Andro, 259, 260, 352, 430.
Chalmer, Andro, in VVester Fiiitra, Hi7.
168, 169.
Chalmer, Alexander, procurator, 168.
Chalmer, Dauid, of Bawithan, 349.
Chalmer, Maister James, maister of
grammer skuil, 277, 278, 279, 306
314.
Chalmer, Maister Thomas, curat of
Abirdene, 169.
Chamer, Alexander of Murthill, 49, 53.
Chamer, Gilbert of, 32, 33, 409.
C'hamer, Robert of, 401.
Chamer, Thomas, 92, 96, 102, 103, l(/4.
172, 179, 220,279,303.
Chamer, Master Duncan, 84.
Chamer, Master Thomas, 84.
466
INDEX.
Chamour, Alexander of, 22, 23, 32, 33,
34, 35, 36, 41, 42, 48, 53, 56, 61, 63,
66, 71, 73, 172, 218, 292, 304, 316,
319, 320, 323, 326, 404, 407, 414,
420, 421, 429.
Chapman, John, 30, 50.
Chawmer, Maister Johne in Grandoum,
286, 287.
Chawmer, Thomas of, 36.
Chekar, 17.
Chene, Alexander, of Stralocht, 229.
Chene, James, his broder, 228, 229, 230,
231.
Chene, John, of Arnage, 229.
Chene, John, of Essilmonde, 428.
Chene, Master Jerome, clerk, 228, 229,
230, 231.
Chene, Maister Laurens, scribe of the
consistorie of Aberdene, 151.
Chene, Ranald, 403.
Chene, Thomas, zoung lard of Essil-
mont, 229.
Chernsid, Patrick, 63, 79, 84, 86, 92,
429.
Cheyne, James, procuratour to the lard
of Abirgeldie, 129, 130.
Cheyne, Mr. William, 1 13.
Clatt, Johannes de, 393.
Clat, Duncane of, 16, 17, 19, 20, 401,
404.
Clerk, Jacobus, balliuus burgi de Kyn-
tor, 393.
Clerk, Philp, belman, 82, 419.
Club, Patricius, 375.
Club, Schir Alexr., chaplan of the browne
croice altar, 33.
Codlyn, Adam, 375.
Cokboume, Eduart, 100.
Colison, Dauid, 32, 33, 35, 49.
CoUangy, 52.
CoUison, Sir Johne, cheplane, 320, 321,
325, 354.
Colisone, Duncan, 63, 67, 69, 78, 84,
92, 102, 120, 12.3, 427-
Collisone, Henry, 155, 157, 167, 172.
Colp, Dauid, ringer of handbell, 110,
122.
Colp, William, ringer of handbell, 72.
Col Weill, Dauid, gunnar, 257, 261.
Collysoun, Gilbert, 266, 281, 284, 286,
292, 293, 294, 298,299, 300, 303, 304,
308, 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, 322,
324, 325, 326, 328, 329, 330, 331.
Colysone, John, 53, 61, 63, 66, 78, 81,
84, 92, 93, 98, 104, 107, 108, 112,
115, 120, 123, 127, 144,148,153, 154,
155, 159, 170, 172, 179,416,423. 424,
425,427,429,434,444.
Corsinday, 138.
Coule, 51.
Coupar, Andro, clerk, 44, 68, 143.
Couper, Schir Wilzeam, 85, 86, 123,
162.
Couth bert, Henry, capitane, 205.
Cowe, 52.
Crab, Johannes, .371, 373, 375, 376, 378.
Crab, Paulus, 372.
Crab, WiUelmus, 387.
Crafuirde, Adam of, 26, 33, 36, 4 1 .
Crafurd, Covntas of, 55.
Crafurd, William, ofRciar of the burgh,
352,
Crag, Malcome of, 85.
Crag, Willelmus de, 374.
Cragtoune, 51.
Craige, Robert, 44, 48, 49, 56, 63, 66,
69, 78, 83, 429.
Craigern, 458.
Craike, Jamys, 24, 50, 56.
Crale, 204, 233.
Crane, Patricius, 373, 374.
Craufuird, Erie of, 12, 372.
Craufurd, Thome, 92, 104.
Cravmonde, Lawrence of, 51.
Crawfurd, John, 196.
Crawfurd, Nicolaus, 116.
Creychtoune, 297-
Creychtoun, James, of Frendraucht,
459.
Crippill, Ellene, 445.
Cristale, Thomas, 256, 257, 333, 334.
Cristell, William, burges of Deip, 106.
Cristesoun, John, litster, 258.
Crois, 36, 71, 86, 88, 148, 159.
Croudane, Marione of, 1 0.
Croudane, Thome of, 404.
INDEX.
467
Crowdan, 339, 409, 410.
Cruckschaiik, Schir Willeame, chapellan
of St. Dutheis altar, 73.
Cryn, Willelmus, .373.
Culan, Alexander of, burges, 23.
Culan, Andro, 41, 49, 62, 71, 74, 76, 80,
81, 84, 85, 86, 87, 92, 93, 98, 104, 108,
111, 114, 115, 119, 123, 126, 127, 129,
132, 144, 148, 149, 150, 159,164, 170,
172,174,179,212,337,393,405,428,
429, 430, 443, 444.
Culan younger, Andro, 55, 56, 57, 62,
63, 66, 69. 418.
Culan, Henry of, 23.
Culan, Robert of, 35, 57, 59, 62, 64, 174,
184, 229, 230, 231, 243, 244, 245.
Culane, Johannes de, 6, 38, 48, 53, 56,
57, 61, 63, 66, 69, 73, 79, 81, 86, 92,
93, 94, 414, 427, 428, 429, 443, 444.
Culane, Thome of, 23, 24.
Cullace, Robert of, 395.
Cullane, Melchor, 241.
Cullan, Walter. 85. 92, 104, 105, 149,
153, 154, 159,167, 169, 170, 172, 174,
179, 186, 196, 199, 215, 256,262, 294,
303, 304, 308, 319, 323, .326,337,347-
Cults, Patre, 453.
Cuming, James, 36, 414, 431.
Cuming, Sir Johne, chaplane of Sanct
Katherinis Chapel, 95, 181, 182, 183.
Cumray, Alexander de, 15.
Cunnegerhill, 60, 91, 98.
Cunyngstounis seytt, 189.
Cunynghame, Robert, minister of Tri-
nite ordour of Faythfurd and Aber-
dene, 288, 289.
Cup, Sir Andro, chorister. 95.
Cup, Sir William, 113.
Currour, George, of Dome, 443.
Cussing, Thomas, 211.
Curtastoun, Isabella de, 391.
Dalmayok, 52.
Daluestoun, Maister John, persoun of
Disart, 216.
Danis, in Pycardy, 213.
Danskin, 235, 300, 332, 362, 414, 428.
Daueson, Maister Thomas, 250, 264.
Dauesoun, Charles, baxstar, 276, 287.
Dauidsoun, Andreas, 400.
Dauidsoun, Dauid, 138.
Dauidsoun, Thomas, of Auchinhamperis,
138.
Dauidsone, Schir Thomas, 33.
Dauisone, William, 44.
Davisone, Jonhne, skipper of Lord Mur-
ray es schipe, 419.
Dee, 22, 8.3, 100, 101, 120, 127, 179,
199, 246. 294, 327, 362, 365. 431.
Dee, Bridge of, 1 16, 117, 118, 119, 125,
126, 127, 129, 130, 141, 152, 168,
177, 184, 197, 221, 224, 240, 294.
Deipe, 19, 106, 136, 225, 227, 232.
Deir, 203, 382.
Deir, Robertus, postulatus abbas de,
203.
Denburn, 6, 15, 47, 169, 294.
Denmark, 206, 333.
Dempster, Besse, spous of Dauid Spilye-
laucht, 155.
Deyne, Henre, gunner, 98.
Dogude, Robertus de Achnahufe, 408,
409.
Dolloquhy, Hector, 330.
Done, 36, 71, 72, 83, 84, 86, 120, 133,
148, 149, 150, 151, 153,163, 178, 179,
189, 198,246,294,365,382.
Done, brig of, 344.
Dome, 443.
Doysy, Monsor, 300.
Drum, 6, 7, 51, 52, 387.
Drum, lard, 55, 86, 253.
Dumbrek, Philp, 51, 56, 70, 405, 406,
410,412.
Drumbrek, Walterus de, balliuus hurgi
de Aberdene, 6.
Dumbrek, William, 43.
Drummond, John, Lord, 54.
Dumefuill, Johannes, 227.
Dunbar, M. Gawan, Dene of Murray,
67.
Dunbar, Willelmus de, .372.
Duncan, Wiiliame, burgess, 291, 349.
Duncanus, cancellarius ecclesie Aber-
donensis, 5.
Duncansone, John, 64, 69.
368
INDEX.
Duude, 29, 56, 67, 173, 199, 204, 205,
206, 226, 233, 235, 242, 254, 307, 339,
409, 413.
Dunfermling, 54, 204, 233.
Dunfermling, George, Abbot of,
54.
Dunkeld, George, Bishop of, 139.
Dunkeld, Johnne, Bishop of, 246.
Dunkeldin, 53,139,246.
Dunkeldin, George Bishop of, 53.
Dunottir, 16, 133, 162.
Durant, Johannes, 227.
Durtv, Andro, 149, 153, 154, 167, 234,
238, 239, 253, 256.
Durty, Johnne, 325.
Dysart, 38,204,216,233.
Dyse, 79.
Echt, lard of, 138.
Eddynhame, Mastir Thomas of, 399.
Edinburgh, 28, 30, .34, 35, 38, 43, 53, et
passim.
Edindiaucht, Robertus, 135.
£)duardsoun, George, burgis of E^in-
burghe, 422, 423, 424.
Elgen, 194, 204, 215, 233.
Elgyne, 393.
EUeis, Dauid, 327, 356, 357, 360.
Ellone, 418,438.
Ellone, Sym of, 79-
Elphinstoun, Bischop Wm., 118.
Elphinstoun, Maister Robert, parsone of
Kyncardin, 127, 128.
Ergile, Archibald, Erie of, 54.
Ergyill, Colinus Comes de, 108.
Erole, Lord, 10, 39, 415.
Errane, James, Erll of, governour of
Scotland, 189, 247, 272, 273.
ErroU, Williarae, Earle of, 444.
Erroll, William, Master of, 428.
Erskene, Lord, 55, 108.
Erskin, John, Lord, 139.
Esk, water of, 297.
Essilmont, 229, 428.
Essilmont, Lady, 260.
Ettale, Willelmus, capellanus et procu-
rator pontis de Pulgoveny, 10.
Ewisdaill, 247.
Farchar, Gelis, factor to bischop of Ork-
nay, 421.
Farquharsoun, Dauid, 395.
Farquharsoun, William, 222, 266, 349.
Faucland, 16, 30.
Faw, George, capitane of Egiptians, 167>
168, 169.
Faw, Johnne, Egiptian, 168, 169.
Faythlie, 356.
Faythfurd, 288, 289.
Feildar, Androw, 166.
Fentone, James, 155, 187.
Ferdour, Jonhe, 56, 77, 78.
Feme, Christane de, 392.
Fethakis, Sanct, 91.
Fethy, Sir Johne,prebenderyof the queir
of Sanct Nicholace kirk, 207, 239,
240.
Fethyrcarne, 67.
Fichet, Ricardus, 374.
Fichet, Willame, burges of Aberdeen,
409.
Fife, Andro, bailze, 83, 85, 86, 92, 439-
Fife, Johannes de, 6, 7, 8, 1 8, 26, 393,
397 404.
Fife, Patrik of, 1 8.
Fife, Thom of, 23, 33, 35, 37, 38, 44, 48,
62, 404 423, 424.
Findoun, 100, HI, 159-
Finny, Christan, 349, 350.
Fintra, Westar, 167.
Firth, 18.
Flanderis, 89, 94, 97, 136, 150, 204, 222,
233, 241, 277, 300, 360, 362, 393,400,
412,413,416,417.
Flesing, 305, 310,311.
Flusa in Flandria, 21.
Fochet, Matheu, 6, 10, 16, 33, 397 ,401,
404, 405.
Follamuir, 252, 253.
Forbes, Lord, 25, 120, 131, 136, 137.
Forbes, Alexr., of Burghis, 131,132,135,
138.
Forbes, Schir Alexander Lord, 17, 386.
Forbes, Alexr., 41, 425.
Forbes, Alexr., of Towes, 138.
Forbes, Alexander, 138.
Forbes, Alexander, in Strathdee, 138.
INDEX.
469
Forbes, Alexr., 166, 167, 186 194,336,
357.
Forbes, Andro, at Keythokisraill, 296.
Forbes, 382, 434.
Forbes, Duncan, 286.
Forbes, Duncane, 138, 264, 323, 327,
340, 347.
Forbes, Maister Duncane, of Mony-
musk, 365.
Forbes, Ewill Wille, brother of James
Forbes of Auchintoile, 138.
Forbes, Henry, of Kinellar, 138.
Forbes, James, brig of Balgony, 138.
Forbes, Androw, his brothir, 138.
Forbes, James, of Auchintouill, 102, 138.
Forbes, James of, son and air apperand
to Schir Alexander Lord Forbes, 17.
Forbes, John Lord, 116, 132, 139-
Forbes, Johne, Maister of, 139.
Forbes, Niniane, 138.
Forbes, John, his brothir, 138.
Forbes, Johne of Tuligony, 138.
Forbes, Maister John, portioner of Bar-
ness, 138, 327.
Forbes, William, his bruthir, 138.
Forbes, Schir John, of Tullquhon, 17.
Forbes, Malcolnuis, 401, 402,405.
Forbes, Margrat, servand to Maister
Robert Andersone, 352.
Forbes, Patrik, 138, 152, 153,167,336,
Forbes, George, his brothir, 138.
Forbes, Patrik, 123.
Fynne, Maister Thomas, 256, 331, 364.
Forbes, William Lord, 246.
Forbes, William, of Corssinday, 138.
Forbes, Wm., of Tolquhone, 138.
Forbes, Maister William, 138.
Forbes, William, 138. 301, 310, .322,
346.
Forbes, Maister Wilzeame, 102.
Forbess, Duncane of Quyltis, 138.
Forbess, Johne, of Petslegow, 137.
Forbess, Malcome, 138.
Fores, 204, 233.
Forester, Maister James, clerk of the-
sawrarie to Queen Marie, 248.
Forester, Schir Duncan of Skypyng
Kinge, 54.
Forfair, 55, 204, 233.
Forge, 459.
Forth, 108, 185.
Fortrie in Buchan, 51.
Foulfurd, James of, factour to the Erie
of Orknnay, 13.
Foullis, John, baxstar, 276, 287.
Franche, Pate, mason, 146.
Fraser, Alexander, of Philorth, 139,356,
Fraser, Alexr., of Percock. 382.
Fraser, Alexander, 222 458.
Fraser, Johnn, laxfischer, 338.
Frendraucht, 459.
Fresale, Andro, 408.
Fresale, Maister John, dene of Lesteirik,
54, 423.
Freser, Alex., litster, 186, 187, 455.
Freser, Duncane. 271, 272, 287-
Press, Gilbert, 167.
Press, Maister John, 167-
Pressor, Gilbert, 159, 174, 186, 243.
Frosterhill, 148.
Futhes, William, 53, 57, 62, 63, 67, 69,
71,78,83,422.
Futy, 15, 49, 66, 92, 98, 123, 125, 163,
178, 184, 207, 242, 243, 244, 309, 322.
388.
Fyf, Schir John, chaplan, 190, 296.
Fynne, Dauid,63. 79. 83, 85, 92, 425.
Fywe, 179, 247,414,418.
Fywe, William, 44.
Gaistraw, 35, 45, 238, 453.
Gal, Robertus, 387.
Galichtlie, Androw, 413.
Galloway, Alexr., 271, 272.
Galloway, Maister Alexander, persone
of Kinkell, 96, 105, 123, 127, 128.
Galowgate, 35, 45, 66, 90, 95, 96, 156,
203, 222, 236, 238, 242, 345, 354, 366,
459.
Galvchtlie, Dauid, 410.
Gardin, 148, 279-
Gardinar, Nicol, 338, 349.
Gardine, Richert, .364.
Gardyn, George, of Banquhorie, 338,
349.
Gardyne, Symon, 43.
3 p
470
INDEX.
Gareaucht, Andrew, 352.
Garntuly, 388.
Garreaucht, 127.
George, Erie, callit of Egipt, 167.
Geraldson, Alleat, Hollander, 429.
Geriesoun, Herman, indwellar of Flesh-
ing in Zeland, 310.
Germond, Jno., 453,
Gibson, Williame, belman, 421.
Giffard, Wat, 20, 391, 401.
GifFarde, Wil., 44.
Gilbert, Willelmus, 373.
Gillespy senior, Robertas, 391, 393.
Gilkamstone, 42, 250.
Girkin, Jonete, 400.
Gladstane, Thome, 44.
Gladismoir, 185, 262.
Glammys, John, Lord, 54.
Glasgow, 53, 54, 139-
Glasgow, Gawane, archbischope of, 139.
Glasgow, Robert, archbeshop of, 53.
Glassaucht, 214.
Glaster, Alexander, 420,
Glastre, Mathou, 401.
Glenmaluin, John, 41, 43.
Glenmaluyn, Matho, 44.
Gleny, Willelmus, 372.
Goldsmyth, Andro, 41, 43.
Gordon, Alexander de Megmar, 409.
Gordon, Mastir Adam oi^ persoun of
Kinkel,413.
Gordon, Patricius de Methlick, 409.
Gordone, Lord, 64, 208, 214, 422, 423,
424.
Gordone, Mastir Adam, chantour of
Murray, 420.
Gordone, Mr. Johne, 163, 171, 172, 179,
190, 195, 200, 201, 208, 209, 211,
220, 229.
Gordoun, dominus de, 388.
Gordoun, George, in Byrnes, 1 1 3.
Gordoun, James of Methlick, 229.
Gordoune, Allaster, 172.
Gowan, James, in Trailsound, 334.
Grahame, Alexr. the, 398,
Grahame, Maister Alexr., burgis of Edin-
burght, 297.
Grandoum, 286.
Grantuly, 55.
Gray, Androw, Lord, 54, 429.
Gray, Alex. Gray, cheplane of Sanctis
Crispan and Crispinianis altar, 424.
Gray, John, 8, 13, 18, 19.
Gray, Maistre Johne, maistre of wark
to bigging of Sanct Necolace wark,
41.
Gray, Patrik, Lord, 139
Gray, Schir Andro, chaplan, Abirden,
39.
Gray, William, 44, 49, 69.
Grege, John, 43, 64.
Grene, 5, 6, 15, 35, 74, 92, 123, 125,
169, 184, 296, 309, 324.
Guelp, Thorn, 23, 26, 27.
Guild, Methow, 459, 460.
Gunnar, Hanse, gunnar, 261.
Guthrie, George, 172.
Hadington, 67, 262.
Haldane, Androw, 406.
Halis, Lord, 248.
Hamburgh, 270, 272, 310, 408.
Hardgat, Dauid, 397.
Hariot, Snavdown, 255.
Harol, junior, Dauid, 135.
Hatmaker, Thome, 44, 50.
Hay, Maister Alexander, parsone of
Turref, 116,117,
Hay, Johne, notar publik, 163, 195.
Hay, Magister Johannes, rector de
Crowdane, 409, 410.
Hay, Patre, servant to Maister Dun-
cane Forbes of Monymusk, 355.
Hayeter, Thomas, 172.
Hay, William the, 36, 43, 403, 409, 410.
Scotland, 16.
Hay, William, of Auchery, 339.
Hay, Waltir, 160, 162, 164, 167, 172,
174, 185, 196,218,452.
Haya, Williame, Lord, constable of
Hennerson, Maister Johnne, maister of
grammar skuill, 324, 326, 366.
Henrie, king of Scottis, 358.
Herkill, Malcom, 4.53.
Hertilpule, 17.
Hervy, Duncanus, 388.
INDEX.
471
Hervy, Jamys, 29.
Hervy, Sir Henry, chaplan of St. Ni-
challis altar, 21, 31, 34.
Heruy, Dauid, 401, 402, 403.
Heryn, Robert, 412.
Hessilheid, 148.
Heuch, Lady kirk of the, 54.
Hile, Dauid, 44, 410, 41 1, 412.
Hile Richard, 43, 49, 56, 406, 411.
Hillis, Adam of, 7.
Hodierim, Guilliame, 208, 209.
Holing, CloyseWan, skipar of ane schip,
of Hamburgh, 270, 272.
Homyll, Johannes, 5.
Hoveson, Martyne, 245.
Hovesoun, Robert, valcar, 258, 455.
Howison, Johannes, 19,20,404.
Hull, 283.
Huntar, Andro, 258, 261, 283, 319, 322,
357, 364.
Hunter, Thomas, 135.
Huntlie, Alexander, Erie of, 22, 24, 64,
421 443.
Huntlie, Erie of, 190, 191, 194, 195,200,
208, 209, 210,214, 217, 218,239, 307,
321.
Huntle, Lady, 41 1,412.
Ictill, Johnne, 304.
His, 421.
nis, Donald, 194.
Inche, 357.
Inchemartyn, Johannes, 388.
Inglis, Maister Alexander, chansler of
Aberdeen, 37.
Innerowry, 291.
Innes, Gilbertus, 203, 204.
Insture, Andro of, 47.
Inuernes, 13, 195, 204, 233.
Inuerugy, 22, 3.3.
Iruyn, Agnes, dochter of Alexander Ir-
uyn of Drum, 52.
Iruyn, Alexander, of Lunmey, 420.
Iruyn, Elizabeth, relict of AUardes of
that Ilk, 430, 431.
Iruyn, Johne, son of Alexander Iruyne
of Drum, 51.
Iruyne, Alexander, son of Alexander
Iruyne of Drum, 5 1 .
Irwin, Henry, 133, 144, 146, 148, 162,
172, 200, 201.
Irwyne, Alexander de, dominus de
Drum, 6,7,51,52,387,395.
Irwyne, David, son of Alexander Iruyne
of Drum, 51.
Jak, Robert, in Trailsund, 333, 334.
Jak, Robert, tailzeour, alias Cleyth-
aneucht, 338.
Jaks, Eken, Egiptien, 117.
James, King of Scotland, 13, 16, 17,29,
30, 33, 34, 35, 42, 43, 47, 53, 55, 58,
65, 110, 137, 173, 174,183, 219,241,
303,390,399,415,426.
Jamesone, Wm., masoun, 281,289,457.
Jansoen, Halbert, 310.
Jansoun, Zegyr, 311.
Jhoneson, Angus, 36.
Johnstone, St., 286.
Johnstoun, Wm., in Keayis Milne, 349.
Katherenis Hill, Sanct, 176,203,309.
Keayis Mylne, 349.
Keir, Willelmus, 408.
Keith, Antoun of, bruder german to Wil-
liam Erie Merschel, 414.
Kege, 382.
Kelly, Philip of, 79.
Kelo, John, belman, 34.3, 450.
Kelour, freir, 153.
Kelso, 54.
Kelso, Robert, abbot of, 54.
Kemp, Willelmus, 135.
Kempt, Androw, master of the sang
scoili, 370.
Kennedy, or Kempty, William, con-
stabill of Abirdene, 355, 414.
Kennerty, younger, James, 44.
Kennerty, James of, 44, 50, 410.
Kennedy, James, broder to Gilbert, Erie
of Cassillis, 296, 297.
Kennedy, Maister John, 277, 278, 344,
.360,361.
Kennedy, John, notar |)iib]ik, 195, 200,
206, 215,216 ,23 1 , 232, 256, 3 1 7, 32 1 ,
331,339,345,-355.
Kennedy, William, son of William Ken-
nedy, constabill of Abirdene, 355.
472
INDEX.
Keppillhill, 342.
Kerr, Frater Thomas, suppriour of abbay
of Deir, 203.
Keth, Alexander de, 385, 386.
Keth, Lord of, 380.
Keth, Sir W. of, 382.
Kilstaris, John, singar, 218.
Kinellar, 138.
Kingis Vallis, 148.
Kinharroquhe, 51.
Kinkell, 96, 105, 123, 124, 127, 128,
413.
Kinloss, Robert, abbot of, 139-
Kintor, Alexander de, 6, 389, 401.
Kintor, Jhone of, 43, 49, 78, 92, 105,
397.
Kintor, Ricardus, 19, 20, 32, 33, 395,
400, 403, 405.
Kintor, William, 44, 48, 50, 63, 66.
Kirkcaldy, 204. 205, 233,
Kirkwall, 174.
KnoUis, Alexander, 140, 141, 144, 172.
Knollis, Johne of, 32, 33, 35, 37, 43, 48,
63, 64, 66, 406, 429.
Kyncardin, 127.
Kyndrumy, Johne of, 39.
Kyngowdrum, 33.
Kynnore, Cristyne of, 389*
Kynros, Gilbertus de, 374.
Kyntor, Dauid, 36, 50, 78, 85, 86, 92.
Kyntor, James of, 44,410.
Kyntor, Robert, 44.
Kyntoir, elder Gilbert, 172, 365.
Kythokismill, 296.
Lambyntoun, Willelmus de, 391.
Lambyntoun, Johannes, 374, 375, 377,
Lame, Andro, 149.
Lammynton, Alexander, 398.
Lammyngtone, Duncan, 44, 406.
Lammyntone, Schir Thomas, chapellane
of Sanct dementis Chapele, 75.
Langholme, Castell of, 247.
Langhope, 252.
Lasingsert, Christofer, 208, 209-
Lauder, Maister Henry, aduocat to the
quene, 294.
Lausone, Andro, menstrall, 166, 220.
LausouD, Maister Richert, 54.
Lawder, Capitane Hew, 358, 359.
Lawrence of Leth, 377.
Ledale, Johannes de, 374, 378, 379-
Leis, Sir Dauy, 82, 107, 430.
Leis, Schir Robert, notar, 33, 408, 409,
418.
Leitht, Thomas, burges, 101.
Lenturk, 138.
Leo X., Papa, 97.
Lesk, Andro, 189.
Lesley, Johne of Wardens, 73, 111,112,
115, 144.
Lesley, Walter, 166, 172, 184,216,217,
264.
Leslie, Alexander, of Wardris, 413.
Leslie, Alexander, of that ilk, 1 12.
Leslie, Willzeame of Boquhane, 112,
115, 194, 195.
Lesly, Alexander of, 24.
Lesly, Androw of, 23.
Leslv, John, of Bolquhane, 247, 264,
30'7.
Lesly, John, of the Syid, 195.
Lesly, Johnne, of Balquhane, 307, 454.
Lesly, Maister Johne, persone of Ovne,
459.
Lesly, Norman of, 24, 81, 434.
Lesly, Patrik, ringer of hand-bell, 264
Lesly, Sir William, of Balchane, 397.
Lesly, John, ridar of the comoun
prayeris, 356, 362.
Lesly, Wm., son of Johnne Lesly of
Balquhane, 307.
Leslye, Robert, burges of Edinburgh,
129,130.
Lesteirik, 54.
Leth, Laurentius de, 374, 386.
Lethe, Gilbert, 41.
Lethyngton, 297, 298, 299.
Levington, Maister John of, vicar of
Inuerugy, 22, 33.
Lichtoune, Dauid, 17.
Lidderdaill, 247.
Lilburne, Agnes, 30.
Lile, Robert, Lord, 54.
Lindsay, Alexander, freir, 150, 151.
Lindsay, dominus Walterus de, 386.
Linkis, 147, 274.
Linlithgow, 132, 133, 135, 215, 233, 247
INDEX.
473
Litstar Gilbert, 92, 104.
London, 5, 305.
Loremar, Dauid, notar public, 96, 107,
112, 113, 122.
Loudoun, Johannes de, 391, 398.
Lownan, Ricardus de, 374.
Lowrastown, 113.
Luk, Androw, gyder of the artillierie,
185.
Lummysden, Johannes, 400.
Lunmey, 420.
Lundoris, Jiione of, 44, 49.
Luthyr, 110, 111.
Lyonne, Alexander, 308.
M'Cullocht, Alexr., pursewand, 297-
Maill, Dauid, burgis of Hamburt, 310,
311.
Maistertoun, Maister John, gunnar, 257,
261.
Maitland, Sir Richert, of Lythyngton,
knycht, 297, 298, 299.
Makdowell, Sir Wm., 297.
Malisoun, Gilbert, 121, 125, 154, 155,
157, 159, 162, 168, 169, 171, 172, 174,
184, 194, 195, 196, 198, 264, 278, 286,
294, 303, 304, 308,317, 319,320, 322,
324,330,331,348.
Malisoun, Jhone, 123, 231, 232.
Manro, Maister Hew, maister of Gra-
mer skoull, 151, 202, 231, 266, 275,
276 277
Mar, Dauid, 46, 48, 53, 79, 83, 104, 221,
25 1 , 276, 284, 285, 286, 292, 295, 298,
299,303,304,306,307,315,316,317,
318,323,326,328,329,330,331,345,
346, 428.
Mar, Duncan, 102, 104, 120, 122, 123,
125, 133, 146, 148, 155, 159, 162.
167, 170, 172, 174.
Mar, John of, 7, 19,23,32,33,35,43,
68,71, 78, 81,86, 92, 98, 99, 104,
345, 393, 401, 401, 405, 428, 434.
Mar, Thomas, 51, 416, 417, 423, 424.
Marie, modcr of Mario, queue of Scot-
land, 208, 281, 293.
Marie, quene of Scottis, 188, 204, 208,
209, 247, 272, 311, 358.
Mariore-bankis, Maister Thomas, 263.
Marr, Johne, Earle of, 34.
Marschiale, William, Erie, 54, 414.
Mary, Queen of England, 62.
Mathers, 113.
Matheson, Johne, 23, 398.
Mathoson, David, 32, 36, 38, 48, 56, 57,
62, 63.
Masar, James, 459, 460.
Maluesye, 389, 408.
Malyson, Patre, goldsmyth, 331.
Marchell, Malcolm, 382.
Marr, Erll of, 346, 389, 394.
Mathow, Maister Androw, 319.
Megmar, 409.
Megnes, Dauid, 17, 32, 405, 429, 430.
Meignes, Andrew, 403, 404, 405.
Meignes, Gilbert, 13, 15, 16, 18.
Meignes, Willelmus, 19.
Meldrum, 111, 408.
Meldrum, George of, son and apperand
air to William Meldrum of Fivy, 414.
Meldrum, George, of Five, knicht, 247.
Meldrum, William, of Fivy, 414, 418.
Meldrum, Johne of, master of artailzerie,
83.
Meldrum, Thomas, 57, 69, 84, 424, 441.
Melwyn, fsabell, at Myll of Balnacrag,
193.
Menzeis, Alexander, 32,35,41, 48, 53,
56, 57, 61, 63, 66, 67, 69, 71, 73, 125,
134, 135, 144, 154, 170, 172, 203,
206, 209, 264, 301, 303, 407, 413,
416, 423,428, 429,430.
Menzeis, Dauid, 53, 61, 63, 66, 73, 159,
167, 172, 184, 303.
Menzeis elder, Alexr., possessor of hand-
bell, 216, 217,264.
Menzeis, Gilbert, 50, ,53, 57, 64, 68, 71,
73, 78, 84, 86, 92, 93, 97, 99, 100, 104,
108, 1 1 1, 1 14, 1 19, 129, 135, 137, 139,
144, 147, 148, 15.3, 155, 156, 159, 162,
170, 172, 174, 179, 210, 211, 225,229,
346,360,362, 398, 422, 423,424, 429,
444.
Menzies, Gibbe, gunnar, 253, 256, 261,
265.
Menzeis, Gilbert, elder, 277, 283, 295,
474
INDEX.
304, 305, 320, 323, 324, 328, 329, 331 ,
338, 343, 345.
Menzeis, Maister Robert, notar publik,
133, 162.
Menzeis, Nannys, spouse of Alexander
Iruyne of Drum, 5 1 , 52.
Menzeis, Thomas, 51, 79, 84, 98, 108,
et passim.
Menzess, Andreas, 135, 139, 144. 148,
154, 170, 172, 173, 174,179, 185, 189,
190,195,199,211,212,213 222,251,
295.
Menzes, Dauid, elder, 32, 38, 42, 44, 48,
Menzes Dauid, yonger, 38.
Menzes, Johne, 41, 50, 56, 179, 222,
238,420,421,422.
Menzes, Maister Eduard, cheplan, 189,
213,296, 314, 325, 331,345, 3.54.
Menzes, Gilbert, younger, 173, 269, 303,
304, 316, 319,*321, 323, 326.
Menzes, Maister James, persoun of Dun-
nat, 133, 162, 163.
Menzes, Patre, 264, 280. 281, 282, 286,
292,294, 303, 319, 322, 329,330,331,
332, 336, 344, 346, 353, 356, 360.
Menzheis, Maister Dauid, clerk, chapel-
Ian of St. Dutheis altar, 73, 97.
Merschell, Master Johne, master to Gra-
mar scolis, 80, 97, 107, 1 12.
Methlick, 229, 409-
Methwen, Henry, Lord, 139.
Michael, Andree, 392.
Michaelsoune, Martyne, indwellar of
Fleshing, in Zeland, 310, 311.
Michelsoun, Maister Johne, notar pub-
lik, 232.
Monemeill, Sir Alexander, parsone of
Forbes, 434.
Monkegy, 187.
Monro, Gelis, 105, 178.
Montrose, 55, 204, 206, 233, 399, 41 1
Montrose, Duk of, 55.
Monymusk, 309, 355, 382.
Monvpenv, Alexander, masoun, 141,
142, 146.
Mowat, Androw, gunnar, 197.
Mowat, Malcum, 312.
Mowbray, Henry, factour and seruand
to bishop of Abirdene, 178.
Moyses, Wilyam, 38, 413.
Murcour, 238.
Muirhead, Willeame, bailzie of Edin-
burgh, 233.
Murison, Patrick, brother to Schir An-
drow, 17.
Murison, Schir Androw, chaplane, 1 7.
Murked, Master Richert, Dene of Glas-
gow, 54.
Murray, Alexander, Bishope of» 139.
Murray, Androw, belman, 31.
Murray, Androw, elder, 37, 44, 48, 51,
56,60,62,63,66,69,71,410
Murray, Gawane, 92, 99, 104, 105,
Murray, Lord, 420.
Murray, Maister Gilbert, 264.
Murray, Schir Johne, sangster, 88.
Murthill, 49, 53.
Mydchingile, 72, 325.
Myddeltown, Gilbert, of that ilk 113.
Myddiltoun, Maister George, 203, 204,
299, 304, 311, 312, 313, 317, 319,
320, 323,324, 326, 352, 360, 361,
364.
Myding, Thome of, 427.
Myle, Johne of, at Myle of Pitcapile,
429.
Myll, Johne of, duelland at Justice Myll,
420.
Myln, John, freir, 225, 249-
Myln, Robertus, prepositus de Dunde,
226.
Myln, Thomas, burges, 235, 236, 237,
238.
Myris, the, 216.
Myrtoune, Mayster Hector, cheplan of
Magdalin altar, 324, 325.
Name, 204, 233.
Name, Thome of, 44, 69-
Newburgh, 225, 226, 357.
Netherkirkgait, 130, 192, 222, 337.
Nicholson, Thomas, younger, 272, 273,
278.
Nicholsone, Alex., 106, 124, 135, 159,
161,162, 167,169,172, 185.
Nicholsone, Dauid, notarius publicus,
94, 104, 130, 133, 137, 179, 187, 188,
448.
INDEX.
475
Nicholsoun, Maister Johne, notar pub-
lick, 122, 163.
Nicholsoun, Robert, 188, 222.
Nicholsoun, Thomas, 278, 280, 301 ,303.
310, 311, 342, 343, 344, 351,353,360,
Nicolsoun, Johne, 339-
Nig, 107, 123, 126, 136.
Normond, Claus, bottisman of ane schipe
of Rosto, 333.
Norway, 333.
Nory, Jonete, 373.
Ogiluy, James Lord, of Arly, 54.
Ogiluy, James, of Mathers, 113.
Ogiluy, Johne, sone and heir appering to
James Lord Ogiluy of Arly, 54.
Ogilwy, Maister Alex., of Glassaucht,
214.
Ogilwy, James, procuratour, 229.
Ogistoim, Patrick, 215.
Oglay, Alexr., litster, 352.
Okertoune, Geyss, 428.
Oliphant, Lawrence Lord, 54, 64.
Orknay, 174,421.
Orkynnay, Erie of, 13, 18, 19,55.
Ouirbartoune, Robertus Bartonus de,
135.
Ovne, 459.
Owerkirkgait, 130,222.
Pactoun, William, schipper of ane schip
of Dunde, 206, 207.
Palframan, Simon, 388.
Pantar, Andrew, 19.
Pantoun, James, of TuUymad, 349-
Pantoun, Mr. Olipher, 355.
Park, Thomas de, 15.
Paslay, 54.
Paslay, George abbot of, 54.
Patersoun, Robert, capitane of were
Patovnson, Johne, 399, 403.
schip of Dundee, 205.
Patrikson, Dauy, burges, 24.
Patterson, Robertus, procurator domus
Sancte Trinitatis, 15.
Pattoun, Johnne, in the Merniss, 339-
Pattoun, Mariorie, induellar of Mony-
musk, 309.
Paxtoun, Petrus de, 379.
Peblis, 247, 248.
Pendreicht, frater Willelmus, 203.
Pentland, James, dempster of court,
251, 256, 284, 454.
Perth, 26,27,56,67,87- 139, 140, 204,
233, 382.
Petersone, Cornelius, 428.
Petfothell, 23, 108, 110. Ill, 131, 133,
146, 191, 208, 214, 229, 230, 232.
256, 295, 316, 347, 352, 445.
Petslegow, 137,408.
Pettynwyne, dominus Johannes, 400.
Philorth, 139, 356.
Philp, William, 44, 49.
Philpson, Thomas, burges, 235.
Philpsone, Willelmus, 97, 112.
Pinkincleucht, 456, 458.
Pitart, Martinus, 228.
Pitcapile, 429.
Pittniveime, John, prior of, 139.
Portarstoun, lard of, 138.
Porter, Margaret, vyf of Alexander
Kayne, 159, 160.
Porter, Tayfer, of Brugis, 416, 417-
Porter, Robe, 177.
Porterfeild, Collene, 206.
Portuus, William, 271, 272.
Potter, Cornelius, 234.
Powtrey in London, .305.
Prat, Thomas, 36, 37- 41, 48, 51. 53, 57,
61, 63, 64, 6G, 67, 69, 411, 422, 423.
Preunet, Micliaeil, 228.
Preston, Sir Henry, 382.
Prestoune, James, 453.
Pulgoveny, 10.
Purvess, William, 297, 298.
Purwass, William, 165.
Pynches, Matheus, 3, 387-
Quelp, William, 43.
Quhit Robert, 44.
Quhite, William, 398.
Quhithede, Philp, 421, 422.
Quhit, Thomas, 271, 272.
Quhytcors, Johne, freir, 288 289-
Quhyt, Will., 162, 248.
Qwyltis, 138.
476
INDEX.
Racho, Joachin, steirsman of ane schipe
of Trailsound, 333.
Raif, Henrie, shipraaister, 11.
Raik, 325, 399.
Ramfru, Gaufridus de, 370.
Ramsay, Nichole, shipmaster, 65.
Ranaldsone, Ellene, 163.
Ranystoun, 133.
Ratray, Jhone, 119, 121, 122, 123, 125,
167.
Rattre, 291.
Rattrey, Mariory, 339.
Raty, Archibald, 414.
Ray, Sir William, chaplane to our lady
chappell of the Brig of Dee, 129.
Reaule, Nicholace, capitene of ane schip
of Deip, 232.
Reburne, Thomas, goldsmycht, 26, 405.
Rede, Alexander, 35, 36, 38, 48, 53, 54,
55,61, 63, 66, 69, 71, 73, 74, 410, 413,
4 1 4, 4 1 6, 4 1 7, 420, 42 1 , 424, 429, 430.
Rede, Andrew, of Petfothell, 23.
Reginald, Nicholaus, 375, 376.
Reid, Dauid, 155, 271 272.
Reid, Mr. Johnne, cheplane of Sanct
Ketherinis chapell, 309.
Reid, Maister Johne, cancellar of Abir-
dene, 151.
Rede, Sir Johne, 430.
Reid, Rechert, singar, 314.
Retie, Johne, 63, 71, 104, 429-
Robertson, Johannes, 27-
Robertson, John, 266, 280.
Robertsone, Johne, in Tarvas, 51.
Roche, Bryame, 77.
Roger, Johnne, frer, 189.
Rolland, Alexander, toUar, 43.
Rolland, Pater Willelmus, 19.
Rolland, Williame, elder, shiref-deput
of Abirdene, 161, 162, 194, 21 1, 213,
225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 248.
Rolland, Williame, younger, 161, 162,
166.
Rosling Muyr, 104.
Ross, 194, 297, 399, 434.
Rosse, Erie of, 10, 13.
Rossell, Schir Alexander, chaplane of
Sanct Clement, 121.
Rosto, in Norway, 333.
Rubislaw, 40, 47, 148, 279-
Ruderfurde, Schir Johne of Tarlane,
Knycht, 42, 43, 44, 49, 53, 59, 63, 66,
67, 68, 69, 73, 78, 81, 84, 87, 92, 98,
1 0 1 , 1 1 0, 1 1 1 , 420, 423, 429, 439, 443.
Rudriestoun, 118.
Russal, Johne, 39-
Rutherfurd, Dauy of, 397, 401, 402.
Rutherfuird, Richard of, 6,51,389,399.
Rutherfurd, Johannes, miles, 74, 421.
Ruthirford, Johannes, 374, 375, 376.
Ruthirfurd, Johne of, 102, 103, 1 14, 123,
125, 136, 170, 172, 209, 211, 213.
Ryne, Mill of, 405.
Saluay, 109-
Scherar, Andro, 239.
Scherar, Andro w, 21, 31, 33, 35, 406.
Scherar, Schir Androw, vicar of Nig,
107, 126, 136.
Scherar, Mayster Duncane, 21.
Scherar, Williame, alderman, 19, 389,
390, 397, 402.
Scheres, Maister Coppin, notar public,
113.
Schesem, William, 92, 99, 104.
Schevas, Johne, dempster of court, 154,
155, 163.
Schipraw, 35, 50, 265, 309.
Scott, George, in Auchery, 339.
Scotcok, Elena, 379.
Scrimigeor, William, 430, 439.
Scrimgeoure, John, 13, 408.
Scrogis, John of, 7, 12, 13, 17, 19, 23,
405.
Scrogs, John of, the son, 12, 16, 20,404.
Scrymgeour, Maister John of the Myris,
216.
Sculehil, 35, 90.
Selmor, Jacop, burgis of Hamburt, 310.
Sensour, Johne, 133, 134.
Setone, Maister Dauid, persone of
Fethyrcarne, 67.
Setoun, Alexr., of Meldrum, 111, 408,
409.
Setoune, William of, 406, 407.
Shedesley, 96, 148.
INDEX.
477
Sibbald, Thorn, of Cave, 414.
Skedame, 428.
Skeyne, Maister Robert, 151.
Skypyng Kinge, 54.
Smaler, Maister Johne, vicar of Kyn-
gowdrum, 33.
Smyth, Alanus, 375, 410.
Smyth, Henry, botisman of ane schip
of Hamburgh, 270.
Smyth, Robert, burges, 207.
Sound, Skau in Norway, 333.
Spaldyng, Willelmus, 3, 374.
Spens, Adam of, burges, 34.
Spens, John of, litster, 33, 34.
Spens, Maister Johne, aduoeat to the
quene, 294.
Spens, Bischop Thomas, 118, 411.
Spilyelaucht, Dauid, 246.
Spitalfeild, 233.
Spittall, Mr. Alexander, persone of
Clait, 158.
Spittell, 341.
Stephin, Robertus, 400.
Stephinson, John, burges, 17, 18, 19>44,
64, 404, 428.
Stevinsoun, Robert, priour of Deir, 203.
Stewart, Dauid, master of artailzerie,
83, 86, 92.
Stewart, Master Valtir, 153.
Stewart, Schir Walter, of Strathoune, 23.
Stissing, 225.
Stokate, Forest of, 18,47,52,54.
Stokholme, 205.
Storour, Andreas, prior, Carmelitarum,
73, 74, 76.
Strachachin, Master Williame, master to
gramar scolis, 80.
Strade, Willelmus de, 377, 379, 380.
Straichin, Mr. Gilbert, 107.
Straloch, Duncane of, 24, 44.
Stralocht, 229.
Strang, Matilde, 373.
Strathachin, Donald, 44.
Strathachin, Johne, sone and apperand
air to Thomas Straquhen of Lenturk,
138.
Strathachin, Maister Thomas, maister of
grammar scules, 37.
Strathdee, 138.
Strathechin, Sir Johne, 68, 419.
Strathekyn, Adam, 374.
Strathin, Wat, sangaster in Sanct Nicho-
las kirk, 75.
Strathoune, knight of, 396.
Stratoun, Alexr., of Lowrastown, 113.
Stratoun, Andro, of Wagy, 113.
Straquhen, Thomas, of Lenturk, 138.
Straquhyn, James, burgess in Inner-
owry, 291, 349.
Streweling, Schir Johne, notar, 46, 51,
67, 70, 82, 84, 424, 428, 430, 431.
Striueling, 14, 200, 208, 210,211, 233,
253, 263, 346, 390, 399, 427.
Suerdslep, Mauritius, 3, 374.
Symson, Maister Andro, vicar of Abir-
den, 33.
Symson, Dauid, 23, 32, .33, 36, 37, 38,
44, 401, 410.
Symsone, Thomas, 409.
Syves, Andreus de, vicarius de Bervy, 5.
Tailzour, Ammowrouse, 212, 229,230.
Talzeour, Ranald, 44, 76.
Tarlane, 42, 53.
Taruas, 51.
Terwes, Symsoun, 212.
Thane, 204, 223.
Theman, Dauid, goldsmytht, 19, 26, 49,
52, 73, 74, 404, 434, 435.
Thomson, Androw, in Rattre, 291.
Thomson, Peter, alias Buit pursephant,
233.
Thomsoun, Waltir, frer, 189.
Tiry, Johne of, 422, 423.
Tod, Schir Thomas, provost of Exiin-
burgh, 67.
Torpichin, Johannes de 76.
Torre, Mr. James, 221, 231, 248, 251,
252.
Torry, 61, 304.
Tough, Alexander, in Craigern, 458.
Towes, 138.
Traile, Schir Adam, 18.
Traill, Loke, duelland in Petfoddellis,
352.
Trailesond, 19, 333, 334.
478
INDEX.
Trayne, Williame, in Irvyne, 305.
Trinite poit, 242.
Trourabull, Sir Johnne, sangster, 80, 81.
Tulidef, Andro, 16, 17, 401.
Tulidef, John, 17, 19, 406, 454, 456.
Tuligony, 138.
Tullideff, Johne, 101, 220, 309, 310,
322, 331, 347, 352, 362, 364, 366.
TuUidronis hill, 296.
Tuloch, Johannes de, 374.
Tullocht, 431.
Tullowcht, 148.
Tullquhon, 17, 138.
Tullymad, 349.
Turref, 116, 117.
Umfraisoun, Patricius, 393.
Umfrasoun, Thomas, 391*
Urquhart, Margait, 156.
Vallace, ViUiam, 147.
Vark, 109.
Vassy, Alexander, 456.
Vatsone, Johne, occupiar of landis and
toun of Gravis, 159, 286.
Vans, Schir Dauid, curate of Abirden,
33, 75, 96, 97.
Vans, Richard, 16.
Vans, Robert, air to James Vans, 45 1 .
Vaws, Johne the, 33, 36, 38, 44, 49, 53,
57,399,404,413,429,430.
Verty, William, 44.
Vobster, Johannes, 135.
Vocat, Sandy, bellringer, 45.
Vokate, William, 26, 27, 33, 400.
Voket, Schir Alex., 33.
Voket, John, 17, 19, 23, 397.
Vmfra, Dauid, 346.
Vmfray, William, 44.
Vyschert, Robert, 165, 174, 180.
Wagv, 113.
Walcar, Sir William, 321, 330, 361.
Wallace, Alexander, capitane, 205.
Wardens, 73, 112, 115, 116, 144, 413.
Warderis, lard of, 80.
Wardlaw, Alexander of, 17-
Walker, Willelmus de Hole, 379.
Walkin, Andro, 406.
Watson, Maister John, cheplane of St.
Michaelis altar, 324.
Watsoune, Nicholas, 304.
Wattertoun, 418.
Wauchtoun, lard of, 161.
Waus, Gilbert the, 23, 30, 36, 37, 38,
400, 410, 413.
Waus, Sir Johne, 96.
Waus, Sir Richerde, 68.
Waus, Richard, 49, 53, 56, 79, 84, 104,
124 125.
Waus,' Thome of, 43, 49,56, 95, 64, 78,
83, 85, 92, 93, 123, 417, 429, 444.
Webster, Girkynus, 379.
Wenton, Andro, 38, 411.
Wer, in Zeland, 42a
Werstale, 27.
Whytby, 304.
William, John, 223, 224.
Wishart, Gawane, 453.
Wist, Lankyn, merchant of Bruges, 389.
Wod, Andro, 52, 53, 54, 122.
Wode, Thomas, bailze, 84, 85, 86.
Wolf, Hanse, skipper of ane schipe of
Grippis Wald, 334.
Womanhill, 59, 99, 147.
Wormet, Jhone, 43, 48, 56, 61, 62, 63,
66, 71, 410, 428, 434.
Wormet, Robert, 26, 405.
Wormot, Mawnus, 410.
Wricht, Schir Andro, maister of kirk
wark, 32, 36.
Wricht, Sir Thomas, 82.
Wrycht, Sir John, keipar of the lamp
on the Castlehill, 362.
Wrycht, Richerd, 77, 79, 419, 441.
Wyndraylhill, 395.
Wysman, Androw, 459, 460.
Ydill, Master Watt, 7.
Yong, Alexander, capellanus et procu-
rator domus Sancte Trinitatis, 6, 14.
Yong, Wilyam, clerk, 35.
York, Richard, Duk of, 57-
Yung, Schir Walter, chaplan, 36, 39, 40.
Zeland, 310,311,416,426.
ERRATA.
At page X of the Preface, for carniorum read carnium.
„ XIV of the Preface, for totalita read totaliter.
The entry relative to preparations for receiving the Queen of James IV". should be under date
10th May, 1511, instead of 10th May, 1501, as at p. 70.
At page 379, for injuncto prime read presentis prime.
„ 381, for curias read curiis.
„ 388, for dictos read dictus.
„ 404, for 1546 read 1466.
I'ago 354 is misprinted 254.
Page 357 is misprinted 557.
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